be prosecuted on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prosecuted on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is typically "be prosecuted for." Example: "He may be prosecuted for his involvement in the crime."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Only companies, not individuals, can be prosecuted on antitrust charges.

The New York Times

China Central Television said China's top prosecuting office had arrested Ling, who would be prosecuted on corruption charges.

The Guardian

Justice Garson is the second Brooklyn judge in two years to be prosecuted on felony corruption charges.

The New York Times

Those involved in protests in which there are outbreaks of violence may be prosecuted on inflated and inappropriate terrorism charges.

The Guardian

BEIJING — Chinese leaders announced Friday that Bo Xilai, a disgraced Communist Party aristocrat, had been expelled from the party and would be prosecuted on criminal charges.

The New York Times

The Russian authorities said the 10 captured pirates would be taken to Moscow to be prosecuted on charges of hijacking the vessel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The lawyer, Peter Ginsberg, however, contends Irvin was arrested on one charge and is being prosecuted on another.

The New York Times - Sports

Three have been rearrested — two on minor drug charges, one for shoplifting — and were prosecuted on the original charges.

The New York Times

By contrast, one of the Ahmadis is being prosecuted on charges of provoking the violence and could face a sentence of six years; prosecutors have not yet said whether they would seek the maximum sentence.

The New York Times

Four of the men arrested are Bulgarian and one is Afghan; they are being prosecuted on suspicion of people smuggling.

Vice

Crocetta's predecessor is currently being prosecuted on charges of ties to organized crime.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "be prosecuted for" instead of "be prosecuted on". The preposition 'for' correctly indicates the reason or grounds for the legal action.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "prosecuted". The correct preposition to use is "for". For example, say "He will be prosecuted for fraud" not "He will be prosecuted on fraud".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prosecuted on" is used to indicate that someone will face legal proceedings concerning specific charges. However, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates this is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "be prosecuted on" appears frequently, particularly in news media, Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "be prosecuted for". Despite its common occurrence, writers should avoid "be prosecuted on" in formal writing to maintain grammatical accuracy. Alternative phrases include "be charged with" and "face charges of". Using the correct preposition enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prosecuted for

Replaces 'on' with the correct preposition 'for' to indicate the reason for prosecution.

be charged with

Uses 'charged with' to denote the specific accusations leading to prosecution.

face charges of

Emphasizes the act of confronting legal allegations.

stand trial for

Focuses on the trial process itself.

be indicted on

Specifies that a formal indictment has been issued.

answer to charges of

Highlights the responsibility to respond to accusations.

be tried for

Indicates the act of undergoing a legal trial.

be subject to prosecution for

Formally expresses the state of being liable to legal action.

face legal action for

A broader term indicating any form of legal proceedings.

be brought to justice for

Emphasizes the aim of achieving justice through legal means.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is facing legal charges?

The correct phrase is "be prosecuted for" followed by the specific charges. For example, "He will be prosecuted for theft" is correct.

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

Use alternatives like "be charged with", "face charges of", or "stand trial for".

Which is correct, "be prosecuted on" or "be prosecuted for"?

"Be prosecuted for" is the grammatically correct option. "Be prosecuted on" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "be charged with" and "be prosecuted for"?

"Be charged with" refers to the formal accusation of a crime, while "be prosecuted for" refers to the legal process of trying to prove that accusation in court.