being criminalised for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being criminalised for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of being treated as a criminal for a specific action or behavior. Example: "Many individuals feel that they are being criminalised for simply expressing their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Angry about being criminalised for acting with simple human decency.

The Guardian

She said: "It's not acceptable that women are being criminalised for making choices about when they have children.

The Guardian

He not been involved in the looting but felt he was still being criminalised for being young.

The Guardian

A senior police officer has warned that too many young people are being criminalised for behaviour that a generation ago would simply have been regarded as "growing up".

The Guardian

As well as being criminalised for taking their children out of school for a holiday, parents also risk fines if they don't drop their kids off on time.

The Guardian - Money

When a senior Scottish police chief suggested in 2006 that the age should be lowered to prevent young teenagers from being criminalised for acting on "youthful natural instinct", his ideas were branded a "paedophile's charter" by campaigners.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

People are criminalised for non-violent offences, in some cases ruining lives.

Independent

Reporters can be criminalised for getting ex-directory numbers which they need to check stories.

The Guardian

Within Ireland, consistent polling shows there is now a desire for women not to be criminalised for abortions and for the constitutional ban on abortion to be repealed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The last thing women need is to be criminalised for it," she said, adding: "It's outrageous when women are only trying to survive".

Independent

It would remain a crime to profit – from either the sale or distribution of illegal drugs – but drug takers would no longer be criminalised for their addictions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience. If you're writing for a general audience, "being criminalised for" may be more accessible. For legal contexts, consider more precise terms like "prosecuted for".

Common error

Avoid using "being criminalised for" when the action is merely frowned upon or considered unethical but does not actually carry legal consequences. For instance, saying someone is "being criminalised for" expressing an unpopular opinion is inaccurate unless laws specifically prohibit that expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being criminalised for" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject is undergoing the process of being treated as a criminal due to a specific action or attribute. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where individuals or groups are described as experiencing criminalisation for various reasons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being criminalised for" is a frequently used phrase to express concern when actions are treated as criminal offenses. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Its usage is common in news and media, focusing on instances of perceived injustice or controversy surrounding the application of laws. When writing, be sure to distinguish it from similar phrases like ""being penalized for"" or ""being accused of"" to ensure accuracy. While often employed in neutral and formal contexts, the phrase can be powerful to highlight injustice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing criminal charges for

Focuses on the formal legal accusation rather than the act of making something criminal.

being prosecuted for

Highlights the legal process and pursuit of a case in court.

being penalized for

Emphasizes the imposition of a punishment or sanction.

being sanctioned for

Suggests an official reprimand or restriction.

being judged for

Highlights an assessment and negative judgment.

being condemned for

Emphasizes a strong disapproval or censure.

being blamed for

Shifts the focus to the attribution of responsibility for something negative.

being held accountable for

Focuses on the responsibility and consequences for one's actions.

suffering consequences for

Highlights the negative outcomes resulting from an action or situation.

being ostracized for

Highlights social exclusion and marginalization as a consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "being criminalised for" in a sentence?

Use "being criminalised for" to describe situations where someone faces legal penalties for a specific action. For example, "Activists claim they are "being criminalised for" protesting against environmental policies."

What are some alternatives to "being criminalised for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "being prosecuted for", "being penalized for", or "facing criminal charges for".

Is there a difference between "being criminalised for" and "being penalized for"?

"Being criminalised for" specifically implies that an action is being treated as a crime, whereas "being penalized for" can refer to any kind of punishment, including fines or sanctions that are not necessarily part of the criminal justice system.

Which is more accurate, "being criminalised for" or "being accused of"?

"Being accused of" simply means someone is alleged to have committed a crime or wrongdoing, while "being criminalised for" suggests that legal processes are actively treating someone as a criminal for a specific action, regardless of guilt or innocence. Use "being accused of" when someone is merely suspected; use "being criminalised for" when legal penalties are being applied.