accused of stealing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accused of stealing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has been charged or alleged to have committed the act of theft. Example: "The man was accused of stealing a car from the parking lot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was falsely accused of stealing $1.50.

The New Yorker

Lindsay Lohan has been accused of stealing jewellery.

Independent

Louganis has been accused of stealing divers from other teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Jaya's mother is accused of stealing from an elderly employer.

The New York Times - Books

Garcia Zarate was never accused of stealing it.

The Washington Post

Zubeidat was accused of stealing from a department store.

The Washington Post

Farms that supply Europe accused of stealing from depleted river.

The Guardian

They are accused of stealing more than $600 million.

The New York Times

He is accused of stealing millions of dollars from Medicare.

The New York Times

When he was accused of stealing that bracelet..

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A man accused of stealing brass fixtures from a Bronx cemetery pleaded guilty on Monday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accused of stealing", clearly specify what was allegedly stolen to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "He was accused of stealing company funds" is clearer than "He was accused of stealing".

Common error

Avoid using "accused of stealing" without providing context or details about the alleged theft. Vague accusations can be misleading or damaging. Always clarify what the person is accused of stealing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accused of stealing" functions as a verb phrase that typically identifies the action someone is being blamed for. It indicates that an accusation of theft has been made against a person or entity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accused of stealing" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is being blamed for theft. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules, and the examples show it is frequently used in news and media contexts. While the phrase itself doesn't imply guilt, it conveys the presence of an allegation. For clarity, it's best to specify what was allegedly stolen. Remember to avoid vague accusations and provide context to prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleged to have stolen

Replaces "accused" with "alleged to have", emphasizing the unproven nature of the accusation.

charged with theft

Uses a more formal legal term "charged" to indicate that formal charges have been filed.

facing theft allegations

Focuses on the allegations themselves, rather than the act of accusation.

suspected of theft

Indicates a lower level of certainty, suggesting suspicion rather than a formal accusation.

under suspicion for stealing

Similar to "suspected of theft", placing emphasis on the state of being under suspicion.

implicated in the theft

Suggests involvement in the theft, but not necessarily as the primary actor.

said to have committed theft

A more indirect way of stating the accusation, using "said to have" to distance the speaker from the claim.

believed to have stolen

Indicates a belief or assumption that the person committed the theft.

thought to be the thief

Similar to "believed to have stolen", but with a slightly less formal tone.

fingered for the crime

An informal expression indicating someone has been pointed out as the thief.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "accused of stealing"?

Being "accused of stealing" means someone has formally or informally claimed that you have committed theft. It does not imply guilt, only that an accusation has been made.

What's a more formal way to say "accused of stealing"?

A more formal way to say "accused of stealing" is "charged with theft". This term is often used in legal contexts.

What can I say instead of "accused of stealing" in less formal contexts?

In less formal contexts, you could say "suspected of theft" or "alleged to have stolen".

Is there a difference between "accused of stealing" and "convicted of theft"?

"Accused of stealing" means someone is alleged to have committed theft, while "convicted of theft" means a court has found them guilty of the crime. The former is an accusation, the latter a legal determination.