accused of killing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accused of killing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or news reports when referring to someone who has been charged with or suspected of committing a homicide. Example: "The suspect was accused of killing the victim during a robbery gone wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Insurance executives were accused of killing people.

The New Yorker

He's accused of killing two police officers.

The Washington Post

Saudi Arabia stands accused of killing him.

The New York Times

They are accused of killing Maj.

The New York Times

He was dead and she was accused of killing him.

The New Yorker

Mr. Tikhonov is accused of killing two such enemies.

The New York Times

An Israeli soldier is accused of killing a disarmed Palestinian.

The Washington Post

One neighbor, Robert Golub, 22, is accused of killing Kelly.

The New York Times

A panhandler was accused of killing a woman.

The Washington Post

You are accused of killing American soldiers,' " he said.

The New York Times

They are also accused of killing shopkeeper, Woneta Anderson, 43.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accused of killing" when you want to report that someone is facing charges but you want to remain neutral and avoid stating that they are guilty.

Common error

Avoid using "accused of killing" interchangeably with "convicted of murder". The former indicates an ongoing legal process, while the latter signifies a completed trial and guilty verdict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accused of killing" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, specifically a passive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of being accused. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct grammatical structure and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accused of killing" is a commonly used verbal phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts, to report on legal accusations related to homicide. Grammatically correct and neutral in register, it indicates that someone is facing charges but has not been proven guilty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammatical rules, and the many examples available via Ludwig illustrate its frequent use in reporting on criminal investigations and legal proceedings. When writing, it's important to use this phrase accurately, distinguishing it from "convicted of murder", and consider alternatives like "suspected of murder" if a less accusatory tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charged with homicide

Specifies a legal charge related to causing a death.

indicted for murder

Highlights the formal indictment process in a murder case.

alleged to have committed homicide

Replaces "accused" with "alleged", emphasizing the unproven nature of the claim and uses a more formal term for killing.

suspected of murder

Focuses on the suspicion aspect, using the more specific term "murder".

facing manslaughter charges

Indicates that the person is facing charges specifically related to manslaughter, a less severe form of homicide.

implicated in a death

Indicates involvement in a death without explicitly stating the nature of the involvement or the accusation.

under suspicion for causing death

Emphasizes the investigatory aspect of the situation and broadens "killing" to "causing death".

believed to have unlawfully killed

Presents the act of killing as unlawful and expresses it as a belief.

thought to be responsible for the fatality

Frames the situation as an assessment of responsibility rather than direct accusation.

linked to the death

Suggests a connection to the death but avoids direct accusation of wrongdoing.

FAQs

What's the difference between "accused of killing" and "convicted of murder"?

"Accused of killing" means someone is formally charged but not yet proven guilty. "Convicted of murder" means a court has found them guilty.

What can I say instead of "accused of killing" to sound less accusatory?

You can use phrases like "suspected of murder", "implicated in a death", or "linked to the death" to soften the statement.

When is it appropriate to use "accused of killing" in writing?

Use "accused of killing" when you want to report on the legal status of an individual who has been formally charged with homicide but has not yet been convicted.

Is "accused of killing" the same as "alleged to have killed"?

Yes, "accused of killing" and "alleged to have killed" are very similar. Both indicate that someone is said to have committed homicide, but it hasn't been proven in court.