accused of wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accused of wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has been charged or alleged to have committed an immoral or illegal act. Example: "The politician was accused of wrongdoing during the investigation into his financial dealings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A bank is accused of wrongdoing.

The Economist

Mr. Angelides was not accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

(Ms. Jung wasn't accused of wrongdoing).

The New York Times

The company hasn't been accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Paulson has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

Thegallery has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Measelle was not accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

No one at the firm has been accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

But Mr. Cohen was not accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Mr. Liu has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Mr. Lynch has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "accused of wrongdoing", clearly specify the nature of the alleged offense to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He was accused of wrongdoing", specify "He was accused of financial wrongdoing".

Common error

Avoid using "accused of wrongdoing" without providing specific details about the alleged actions. A vague accusation can damage someone's reputation unfairly. Always aim for clarity and precision in your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accused of wrongdoing" functions primarily as a verbal phrase that indicates someone is being formally or informally charged with an improper or illegal act. It is often used to describe a situation where allegations have been made, but guilt has not yet been established, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accused of wrongdoing" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations where someone is alleged to have committed an improper or illegal act. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it is essential to provide specific details about the alleged actions to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretation. Alternatives include "alleged to have committed an offense" and "implicated in misconduct", which offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleged to have committed an offense

This alternative replaces "accused" with "alleged to have committed" and "wrongdoing" with "offense", making it more formal and specific.

implicated in misconduct

This phrase replaces "accused" with "implicated" and "wrongdoing" with "misconduct", suggesting involvement in unethical behavior without necessarily being formally charged.

suspected of illegal activities

This alternative focuses on the illegal nature of the alleged actions, replacing "wrongdoing" with "illegal activities".

under investigation for impropriety

This phrase shifts the focus to the investigation process and uses "impropriety" as a more general term for misconduct.

facing allegations of misconduct

This alternative emphasizes that the accusations are allegations, which may or may not be proven, and uses "misconduct" as a broader term.

charged with an offense

This phrase emphasizes the formal legal process of being "charged" with a specific "offense".

subject to accusations of unethical behavior

This alternative specifies the "unethical" nature of the alleged behavior, adding a layer of moral judgment.

under suspicion for fraudulent activities

This phrase narrows the scope to "fraudulent activities", suggesting deception or financial malfeasance.

linked to corrupt practices

This alternative implies a connection to systemic corruption, which is a more serious form of "wrongdoing".

implicated in a scandal

This phrase suggests a widespread and damaging event involving unethical or illegal behavior.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "alleged to have committed an offense" or "implicated in misconduct".

How does "accused of wrongdoing" differ from "convicted of a crime"?

"Accused of wrongdoing" implies that allegations have been made, but not proven in court. "Convicted of a crime" means that a person has been found guilty by a court of law.

Can "accused of wrongdoing" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, the phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal settings. However, consider using more precise language depending on the specific context.

What are some synonyms for "wrongdoing" in the phrase "accused of wrongdoing"?

Depending on the context, you could replace "wrongdoing" with synonyms like "misconduct", "impropriety", "illegal activities", or "unethical behavior".