be prosecuted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prosecuted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is facing legal action initiated by a specific party, typically a government or legal authority. Example: "If found guilty, the defendant will be prosecuted by the state for their crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The children will be prosecuted by the city's law department.

The New York Times

Ouattara ruled that leading figures of the former regime should be prosecuted by the ICC.

The Guardian

Under the CPS's own guidelines, such cases must be prosecuted by specially trained lawyers.

The Guardian

But it can only be prosecuted by a president who believes in it wholeheartedly.

The New York Times

It was the first case of its kind to be prosecuted by the CPS.

The Guardian

But Mr. Snowden is the seventh person to be prosecuted by the Obama administration in its unprecedented campaign against leaks.

The New York Times

"Therefore, this case will move forward in the criminal justice system and be prosecuted by the district attorney's Office.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have shelters in Morocco for battered women run by N.G.O.'s," said Mr. Goldstein, that "could theoretically be prosecuted by this law".

The New York Times

We insist on bringing those involved with the assassination, regardless of their ranks or titles, to be prosecuted by a fair, civilized judicial system".

The New York Times

A royal order in February stipulated that women who drive should not be prosecuted by the courts.But the general trend is toward a hardening of rules.

The Economist

Illegal actions may be prosecuted by government criminal or civil enforcement officials or by private parties who have suffered economic damages as a result of the conduct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if you want to avoid passive voice. For instance, instead of "the suspect will be prosecuted by the district attorney", you could write "the district attorney will prosecute the suspect".

Common error

Avoid using "be prosecuted" without specifying who is prosecuting. This can create ambiguity and leave the reader wondering which entity is taking legal action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prosecuted by" functions as a passive construction indicating who is carrying out the legal action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the legal process. Examples show its usage in news and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be prosecuted by" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to indicate that legal action will be taken against someone by a specific entity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the prosecuting body to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "face prosecution from" or "be charged by" can be used, depending on the context. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively and accurately convey legal information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face prosecution from

Focuses on the act of facing legal charges, changing the verb and preposition.

be charged by

Emphasizes the formal accusation of a crime, utilizing a different verb.

be indicted by

Highlights the legal process of indictment, specifying a formal stage in prosecution.

stand trial under

Shifts the focus to the trial aspect of prosecution, emphasizing the legal framework.

answer to charges from

Implies a response or defense against accusations, broadening the scope beyond prosecution.

be subject to legal action by

Generalizes to any form of legal action, not necessarily criminal prosecution.

be summoned by

Highlights the initial call to court, a preliminary step in the legal process.

be judged by

Emphasizes the judicial evaluation, shifting the focus from the prosecutorial aspect.

be held accountable by

Broadens the scope to include responsibility and consequences, not strictly legal prosecution.

be brought to justice by

Highlights the goal of achieving justice, which may involve more than just prosecution.

FAQs

What does "be prosecuted by" mean?

The phrase "be prosecuted by" means to be officially charged with a crime and taken to court by a specific entity, such as a government agency or legal authority.

What can I say instead of "be prosecuted by"?

You can use alternatives like "face prosecution from", "be charged by", or "be indicted by" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be prosecuted by"?

It's appropriate when you want to specify which organization or entity is bringing legal charges against someone. For example, "the case will be prosecuted by the Justice Department."

What's the difference between "be prosecuted by" and "sue"?

"Be prosecuted by" typically refers to criminal charges brought by a government entity, while "sue" refers to a civil action brought by a private party or organization seeking damages or other relief.