Accused of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Accused of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being charged with a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "He was accused of theft." Alternative expressions include "charged with" and "alleged to have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accused of over-indulging in playboy lifestyle.

Independent

Accused of stealing.

Forbes

I was accused of shoplifting.

Independent

"I was accused of plagiarism.

Independent

He is accused of perjury.

Independent

I've been accused of cheating.

The New York Times - Science

He was accused of espionage.

Independent

Kassar has been accused of similar plots.

The New Yorker

Celtel was never accused of corruption.

The New Yorker

He was accused of being co-opted.

The New York Times

He was not accused of any wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accused of", ensure you have reliable sources or evidence to support the claim, especially in journalistic or formal writing. Otherwise, use qualifiers like "allegedly" or "reportedly".

Common error

Avoid presenting someone as guilty simply because they are "accused of" something. Maintain a neutral tone and emphasize that the accusations are yet to be proven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accused of" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject is the recipient of an accusation. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is frequently used in journalistic and legal contexts. The auxiliary verb (e.g., 'was', 'is', 'has been') precedes "accused of".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accused of" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to report allegations against individuals or entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is prevalent in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki entries, reflecting its role in conveying information about claims of wrongdoing. When employing this phrase, particularly in formal writing, it's crucial to maintain a neutral tone and cite reliable sources to avoid implying guilt. The phrase's versatility allows for use in varied contexts, but it must be handled with care to ensure accuracy and fairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charged with

More formal and legalistic, implies official charges have been filed.

indicted for

Similar to "charged with", but specifically refers to a formal indictment by a grand jury.

alleged to have

Indicates an unproven claim or accusation.

suspected of

Indicates a belief that someone may have committed a wrongdoing, but without concrete proof.

under suspicion for

Similar to "suspected of", indicating an ongoing investigation.

implicated in

Suggests involvement, possibly indirectly, in a negative activity.

held responsible for

Emphasizes the accountability aspect of the wrongdoing.

blamed for

Directly attributes fault or responsibility for something negative.

linked to

Suggests a connection to something, possibly negative, without directly stating guilt.

fingered as

Informal, suggests someone has been pointed out as the culprit.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "accused of" something?

To be "accused of" something means someone has formally claimed that you have done something wrong or illegal, but it doesn't mean you are guilty. It signifies the start of a potential legal or social process.

What's the difference between "accused of" and "charged with"?

"Accused of" is a general term for claiming someone did something wrong. "Charged with" is more specific, meaning formal legal charges have been filed.

What are some alternatives to saying "accused of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "alleged to have", "suspected of", or "implicated in".

How do I use "accused of" in a sentence?

You can use "accused of" to indicate what someone is being blamed for. For example, "He was accused of stealing company funds" or "The country is accused of violating international law".