are not criminalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not criminalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, behaviors, or situations that are not considered illegal or punishable by law. Example: "Certain activities, such as recreational drug use in some jurisdictions, are not criminalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We should ensure people escaping violence are not criminalized, subjected to dehumanizing solitary confinement, or indefinitely detained.

Huffington Post

I dream a world where our black bodies are not criminalized because of sex work or HIV/AIDS.

Huffington Post

Some British sex worker organizations called out legislators, like Champion, for supporting the Nordic Model, in which sex workers are not criminalized but their clients are.

Huffington Post

Generally, in civil society, sins are not criminalized unless they have a clear civil impact – murder does but private sex acts generally do not.

Huffington Post

Importantly, mere accidents are not criminalized, and to underscore this, it is clearly stated that anyone who is well-meaning and make best efforts to comply with good manufacturing practices commits no crime (Box 1).

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If it's not criminalized in a criminal bribery statute, it's not corruption.

Huffington Post

Abortion was not criminalized in the United States until the eighteen-sixties.

The New Yorker

It might even serve as an example for other countries in the region: except for Uruguay, where possession is not criminalized, most imprison too many people without putting a dent in the supply chain.

The New York Times

Child porn was not criminalized in Denmark until as late as 1980, and the industry's second wave included films depicting violence against women, such as Jørgen Hallum's "Englene" ("Angels"), from 1973: in one scene, bikers storm a confirmation service, crucify the priest, and rape young girls in front of the altar.

The New Yorker

Homosexuality is not criminalized in Laos.

Huffington Post

Possession of less than 10g is not criminalized.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal reforms or changes in societal attitudes, use "are not criminalized" to highlight the shift away from punitive measures. For example, "Possession of small amounts of marijuana are not criminalized in some states".

Common error

Avoid using "are not criminalized" when "are legalized" is more accurate. Decriminalization removes criminal penalties, while legalization removes all legal prohibitions, including regulations and taxes. Use "are not criminalized" when an activity remains regulated but no longer results in criminal charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not criminalized" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a specific action, behavior, or status is exempt from criminal prosecution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not criminalized" is grammatically sound and serves to express that certain behaviors, actions, or statuses are not subject to criminal prosecution. Though relatively rare, as indicated by Ludwig, its usage is generally found in neutral to formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific discourse, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish decriminalization from legalization and to recognize it is a predicate in a sentence. Related phrases include "are decriminalized", "are not illegal", and "are permitted", offering alternative ways to express the concept of non-criminalization while varying in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are decriminalized

Focuses specifically on the removal of criminal penalties, implying a previous state of criminalization.

are not illegal

Indicates that something is permitted by law, lacking any legal prohibition.

are permitted

Emphasizes allowance or authorization, suggesting a formal approval.

are not prohibited

Highlights the absence of a formal ban, indicating acceptability under specific rules.

are lawful

Stresses adherence to the law, indicating legitimacy and legality.

are not punishable

Indicates that no penalty or sanction will be applied, emphasizing the lack of consequences.

are not subject to prosecution

Focuses on the absence of legal proceedings, suggesting immunity from legal action.

are exempt from prosecution

Highlights a specific exception from legal action, indicating a privileged status.

are not penalized

Similar to "are not punishable" but may include non-legal penalties.

are tolerated

Implies acceptance without formal approval, suggesting a reluctant permission.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is not criminalized?

When something is "not criminalized", it means that the activity or behavior is no longer subject to criminal penalties, such as imprisonment or fines. It does not necessarily mean the activity is legal, as it may still be subject to regulations or other restrictions.

What's the difference between "are not criminalized" and "are decriminalized"?

The phrases "are not criminalized" and "are decriminalized" are essentially synonymous. Both indicate the removal of criminal penalties from an activity or behavior.

What can I say instead of "are not criminalized"?

You can use alternatives like "are not illegal", "are decriminalized", or "are not punishable" depending on the context.

Is it accurate to say something "are not criminalized" if it was never a crime?

While the phrase "are not criminalized" typically implies the removal of criminal penalties, it can also be used to emphasize that certain behaviors or activities should never be considered crimes in the first place. In such cases, it underscores a philosophical or ethical stance against criminalizing particular conduct.