a prosecution for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prosecution for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the legal action taken against someone for a specific offense or crime. Example: "The district attorney announced a prosecution for fraud against the former CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let us assume for illustration a prosecution for bribery.

Cornell University

This is a prosecution for violation of federal narcotics laws.

Cornell University

3. The oath of a contemnor is no longer a bar to a prosecution for contempt.

Cornell University

A prosecution for war crimes in Johnson's words was "not going to happen".

The Guardian - Opinion

A Spanish court dropped a prosecution for dealing in fakes because of Moore's advanced age.

The Guardian

There was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution for any form of corporate manslaughter.

The Guardian - Opinion

We do not know; nor could a prospective employee know, save as he risked a prosecution for perjury.

Cornell University

The betting then was that the police had not found enough evidence to justify a prosecution for selling peerages.

The Economist

The publication in 1884 of the first volume of his collected stories, Married, led to a prosecution for blasphemy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a prosecution for bank robbery, for example, a prior conviction for drunk driving would almost certainly be inadmissible.

The New Yorker

The CPS lost the option of bringing a prosecution for common assault because the six-month period had passed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "a prosecution for" to clearly indicate that legal action is being taken against someone for a specific offense. This phrase is direct and easily understood in legal contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "a prosecution for" with 'persecution', which implies unjust or oppressive treatment. "A prosecution for" refers specifically to a legal process, while persecution involves broader, often discriminatory, actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prosecution for" functions as a noun phrase, introducing the reason or grounds for initiating legal proceedings against an individual or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prosecution for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe legal action initiated against someone for a specific offense. Ludwig AI validates its frequency across various sources, primarily in News & Media and Academia. Alternatives include phrases like "criminal charges for" or "legal proceedings for", though they may slightly alter the nuance. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid confusing it with 'persecution'. The phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, making it reliable for legal and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal charges for

Substitutes 'prosecution' with 'criminal charges', focusing on the accusation.

indictment for

Replaces 'prosecution' with 'indictment', specifying the formal accusation by a grand jury.

legal proceedings for

Replaces 'prosecution' with a more general term for legal actions.

criminal case for

Similar to previous but adds the 'criminal' adjective in front of 'case'.

case against for

Replaces 'prosecution' with 'case', focusing on the legal argument.

trial regarding

Shifts focus to the 'trial' aspect of the prosecution.

legal action regarding

Offers a broader scope using 'legal action' to cover prosecution.

penal action for

Replaces 'prosecution' with 'penal action' adding formality.

lawsuit concerning

Uses 'lawsuit', indicating civil, rather than criminal, proceedings.

culpability of

Focuses on establishing fault rather than the legal process itself.

FAQs

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

Use "a prosecution for" to indicate the legal process initiated against someone for a particular crime. For example, "There was "a prosecution for fraud"" or "He is facing "a prosecution for assault"".

What's the difference between "a prosecution for" and "a lawsuit for"?

"A prosecution for" refers to criminal proceedings initiated by the state, while "a lawsuit for" refers to a civil action brought by one individual or entity against another. Prosecution involves crimes, while lawsuits typically involve disputes over money, property, or other non-criminal matters.

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

Alternatives include "criminal charges for", "legal proceedings for", or "an indictment for", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a prosecution for"?

It is appropriate to use "a prosecution for" when discussing the formal legal process of bringing criminal charges against someone. Ensure the context involves a crime and the action is initiated by the government or a legal authority.