accused of being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accused of being" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is being blamed for being or doing something, usually something undesirable. For example, "The mayor was accused of being corrupt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was accused of being co-opted.

The New York Times

They will be accused of being spies".

The New York Times

stands accused of being anti-Russian.

The New York Times

I've been accused of being a feminist".

The Guardian - Film

"I've been accused of being greedy.

The New York Times

He is "accused" of being smart.

The New York Times - Magazine

Were they accused of being counterrevolutionaries?

The Guardian - Books

They were accused of being spies.

The Guardian

I got accused of being a cheat.

The Guardian

We were accused of being homophobic after.

The Guardian - Music

I've been accused of being intense.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accused of being", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the accusation and what evidence, if any, supports the claim. This adds transparency and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "accused of being" without specifying the accuser. For example, instead of "He was accused of being biased", write "Critics accused him of being biased" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accused of being" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces a characteristic or state for which someone is being blamed or formally charged. It is used to present an allegation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accused of being" is a versatile expression used to indicate that someone is being blamed or formally charged with possessing a certain characteristic or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "alleged to be" and "suspected of being" offer subtle differences in meaning, "accused of being" is a direct and clear way to convey an accusation. Remember to clearly specify the accuser to avoid vagueness and maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleged to be

Emphasizes the claim is yet to be proven, highlighting the unconfirmed nature of the accusation.

suspected of being

Indicates a lower degree of certainty compared to "accused", suggesting a possibility rather than a formal charge.

implicated in being

Suggests involvement, often in a negative context, but may not carry the formal weight of an accusation.

branded as being

Implies a label or reputation, often negative, that has been attached to someone.

characterized as being

Focuses on how someone or something is described, which may or may not involve wrongdoing.

reputed to be

Indicates a widespread belief or opinion about someone, regardless of concrete evidence.

considered to be

Focuses on a general perception or evaluation, which may not necessarily be negative.

thought to be

Suggests a belief or assumption, often based on limited information.

deemed to be

Implies a formal judgment or assessment, often by an authority.

seen as being

Focuses on how someone or something is perceived by others, emphasizing subjective viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "accused of being" in a sentence?

You can use "accused of being" to indicate that someone is being blamed for possessing a certain quality or characteristic. For instance, "The company was "accused of being" environmentally irresponsible".

What are some alternatives to "accused of being"?

Alternatives include "alleged to be", "suspected of being", or "implicated in being", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "accused of" or "accused of being"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "accused of being" is used when followed by an adjective or noun phrase describing a state or characteristic. "Accused of" is generally followed by a verb or a noun that represents an action. For example: "He was accused of theft" versus "He was "accused of being" a thief".

What's the difference between "accused of being" and "suspected of being"?

"Accused of being" implies a more formal charge or allegation, while "suspected of being" suggests a belief or hunch without concrete evidence. Suspected carries less weight.