I was indicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was indicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a formal accusation or charge made against someone in a legal context. Example: "After a lengthy investigation, I was indicted on multiple counts of fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A few days after meeting my lawyers, I was indicted.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was indicted and spent two years in court," Mr. Ellsberg said in an interview.

The New York Times

"I was indicted simply to bring a case against my celebrity co-defendant.

The New York Times

"I was indicted not because I was the biggest criminal on the block or the biggest insider trader in history," he said.

The New York Times

At one point, as he was telling me about himself, he smiled a little and said, "Oh, by the way, one thing I did over the last twenty years, I was indicted as a terrorist, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, during the Emergency".

The New Yorker

A lot of people think I was indicted because I am an asshole.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I was indicting all of us.

Wikipedia

It's likely that Blankenship's candidacy for Senate is a vanity project aimed at exacting revenge on Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who the ex-con claims "rushed to demand that I be indicted" in a rambling post on his website called "Corruption in America is pandemic".

Vice

I'm indicting alleged fake architect Paul Newman on 58 counts as a result of our "Operation Vandelay Industries".

Huffington Post

I am indicting the news media here instead, for sensationalizing some person and then later wringing their hands and saying "why did we help make this person famous?" Always after the fact, of course.

Huffington Post

[C3.] Big Japanese Lender Is Indicted The Takefuji Corporation was indicted on charges of wiretapping the conversations of a journalist critical of the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was indicted", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific charges or circumstances surrounding the indictment to avoid ambiguity. Be precise about what you were accused of to provide clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. Saying "I indicted someone" has a completely different meaning than "I was indicted". Make sure the tense is consistent with the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was indicted" is to indicate a passive construction where the speaker is the recipient of the action of being indicted. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase always relates to legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was indicted" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that the speaker has been formally accused of a crime by a grand jury. According to Ludwig AI, this passive construction is frequently found in news and media contexts when reporting on legal proceedings. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to provide context around the charges to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "I faced indictment" and "charges were filed against me". When using the phrase, ensure correct tense and voice to maintain clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I faced indictment

Focuses on the act of facing the formal accusation.

Charges were filed against me

Highlights the legal process of filing charges.

I was formally accused

Emphasizes the formal nature of the accusation.

I was charged with a crime

Specifies that the accusation involves a criminal offense.

An indictment was issued against me

Focuses on the issuance of the indictment.

I stood accused

Presents a more dramatic or literary phrasing.

I was brought up on charges

Uses a common idiomatic expression for facing charges.

I had charges brought against me

Highlights the action of charges being brought.

I was prosecuted

Refers to the legal process of prosecution following indictment.

I was summoned to court

Refers to the initial summons, which may precede indictment.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was indicted"?

To say "I was indicted" means that a grand jury has formally accused you of a crime, and the prosecution can proceed with a trial. It's a formal legal term indicating the start of a criminal case.

What can I say instead of "I was indicted"?

You can use alternatives like "I faced indictment", "charges were filed against me", or "I was formally accused" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "I was indicted" and "I was arrested"?

"I was arrested" means you were taken into custody by law enforcement. "I was indicted" means a grand jury has formally accused you of a crime. Arrest can precede indictment, but they are distinct legal actions.

Is being indicted the same as being convicted?

No, being indicted is not the same as being convicted. Indictment is a formal accusation, while conviction means you have been found guilty of the crime, either through a trial or a guilty plea.