a prosecution against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prosecution against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to legal actions taken by the state or government against an individual or entity accused of a crime. Example: "The district attorney announced a prosecution against the suspect for fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

And because of my work there holding the government to account – I was prosecuted for contempt by the then Attorney General who launched a prosecution against me in what became the landmark case of Home Office v Harman.

The Guardian

In 2006-07 Scotland Yard failed to nail a prosecution against Blair's team.

The Guardian

Two senior barristers advised Saunders that there was sufficient evidence to support a prosecution against Lord Janner.

Independent

"This is the second time a prosecution against him has been stayed by a judge as an abuse of process.

The Guardian

"Shanley got away with it because the father didn't want to go public with a prosecution against a priest.

The New York Times

The CPS on Friday said that a prosecution against BT and Phorm "would not be in the public interest".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Separately, the attorney general is reported to be considering a criminal prosecution against a British journalist who allegedly used Twitter to name a different footballer who has also taken out a privacy injunction.

The Guardian

Here, we have a criminal prosecution against a shipowner and officers of two of its vessels for using the very equipment on these vessels which the Federal Government says may be used.

Cornell University

This reasoning would not only control the present case, however, but would also bar the Government from bringing a perjury prosecution against a defendant who knowingly and willfully lies under oath at his pretrial hearing.

Cornell University

Speaking in an interview with the Telegraph, Sir Barney said he was urging his members to reconsider their donations to the RSPCA, which last December spent more than £300,000 on a private prosecution against a single hunt in Oxfordshire.

Independent

Georgiadis has gone even further, by being called to testify as a prosecution witness against the Greek-Jewish community in the liable case Plevris brought against it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prosecution against", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action is being taken by a legal authority or state entity.

Common error

Avoid using "a prosecution against" when the action is initiated by a private individual or organization. In such cases, consider alternatives like "a case against" or "legal action against."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prosecution against" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb, indicating the initiation of legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prosecution against" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote legal proceedings initiated by a governing authority. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's crucial to use it when the action is indeed taken by a legal body. While alternatives like "legal action against" or "a case against" exist, they may not always convey the same specific meaning. The phrase is commonly found in news reports and legal documents, making it suitable for neutral to formal registers. Be mindful not to misattribute the initiator of the prosecution, as this is a common error. Always ensure the context aligns with the formal and legal connotations of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charges filed against

Highlights the act of formally presenting accusations.

legal action against

Focuses on the broader concept of legal proceedings, encompassing civil and criminal cases.

case brought against

Emphasizes the initiation of a legal dispute.

criminal proceedings against

Specifically denotes actions within the criminal justice system.

indictment of

Implies a formal accusation by a grand jury.

pursuit of justice against

Highlights the aim of seeking legal redress.

lawsuit against

Typically refers to civil, rather than criminal, actions.

legal challenge to

Focuses on contesting the legality of something.

persecution of

Suggests unjust or malicious legal action.

action taken against

A more general phrase that may or may not involve formal legal proceedings.

FAQs

How to use "a prosecution against" in a sentence?

Use "a prosecution against" to describe legal proceedings initiated by a governing body against an individual or entity, as in, "The government launched a prosecution against the company for fraud."

What can I say instead of "a prosecution against"?

You can use alternatives like "legal action against", "criminal proceedings against", or "charges filed against" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a prosecution against" or "a case against"?

"A prosecution against" specifically refers to criminal proceedings initiated by the state. "A case against" is broader and can include both civil and criminal legal actions.

What's the difference between "a prosecution against" and "persecution of"?

"A prosecution against" refers to a formal legal action based on alleged wrongdoing. "Persecution of" implies unjust or malicious legal action motivated by discrimination or other improper reasons.