began its prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began its prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the initiation of legal proceedings against an individual or entity. Example: "The state began its prosecution of the case after gathering sufficient evidence against the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Last week the ICC made history when it began its prosecution of Laurent Gbagbo, former President of Ivory Coast, the first time a former head of state had ever stood in its dock.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Later in the day, the prosecution began its rebuttal of the case presented by the defense, which rested last week.

The New York Times

"I don't know why this large number of people were arrested". The prosecution began its case with videotaped news clips of Hussein in Dujail after the assassination attempt.

The Washington Post

Following Mr Mills' evidence to the defence barrister, the prosecution began its cross-examination.

BBC

On March 23, the prosecution began its case in chief.

Wikipedia

By around 1650, however, the witch frenzy began its precipitous decline, with prosecutions for witchcraft virtually vanishing by 1700.

The Guardian

This morning the State of Arizona begins its criminal prosecution trial against us, providing another opportunity to impugn the ugly aspects of U.S. immigration and border enforcement policies.

Huffington Post

MARCH 16 -- The prosecution begins its closing arguments.

The New York Times

The prosecution will begin its closing statement on Wednesday.

The New York Times

The first minister confirmed too that the Crown Office, Scotland's prosecution authority, had begun its inquiry into the crash.

The Guardian

A shock statement from Mr Dewani, disclosing details of his sexuality and relationship with his wife Anni, was given to the court before the prosecution had even begun its case.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began its prosecution" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the start of legal proceedings by a specific entity. Ensure the context clearly identifies who initiated the prosecution.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who initiated the prosecution. For example, instead of saying "The prosecution was begun", specify who "began its prosecution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began its prosecution" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of legal proceedings by a specific entity. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct. Example: Last week the ICC made history when it began its prosecution of Laurent Gbagbo.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began its prosecution" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the initiation of legal proceedings. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in formal English, particularly in legal or news contexts. While not very common, the phrase effectively communicates the start of a legal case. Alternative phrases like "initiated prosecution" or "commenced prosecution" offer similar meanings. Remember to ensure clarity regarding who initiated the prosecution to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiated prosecution

Uses "initiated" instead of "began", implying a formal start.

commenced prosecution

Replaces "began" with "commenced", indicating a formal commencement.

started its legal proceedings

Rephrases "prosecution" with "legal proceedings", offering a broader term.

launched its case

Uses "launched" instead of "began" and "case" instead of "prosecution", implying a formal start to a legal case.

initiated legal action

Substitutes "prosecution" with "legal action", widening the scope of legal measures.

brought charges

Focuses on the act of formally accusing someone, rather than the entire process.

started criminal proceedings

Replaces prosecution with a more descriptive phrase, and replaces began with started

undertook prosecution

Uses a more formal verb, "undertook", to convey the commencement of legal action.

embarked on prosecution

Implies a committed and purposeful initiation of the legal process.

set in motion prosecution

Emphasizes the beginning of a series of actions related to the legal process.

FAQs

How can I use "began its prosecution" in a sentence?

You can use "began its prosecution" to indicate the start of a legal process, as in, "The state "began its prosecution" of the company after an extensive investigation."

What's a more common alternative to "began its prosecution"?

More common alternatives include phrases like "initiated prosecution", "started the trial", or "launched its case", depending on the context.

Is "began its prosecution" too formal for general writing?

While grammatically correct, "began its prosecution" is quite formal. For less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "started the case" or "brought charges".

Which is correct, "began its prosecution" or "began prosecuting"?

Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Began its prosecution" refers to the start of the entire legal process initiated by a specific entity. "Began prosecuting" refers to the start of the act of prosecuting, which can be more general.