can be criminalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be criminalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, behaviors, or activities that may be made illegal by law. Example: "Certain forms of cyberbullying can be criminalized under new legislation aimed at protecting victims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's an additional way that women can be criminalized," she said.

The Guardian

In a petulant dissent in the recent sodomy decision, he argued that gay sex can be criminalized now because it was a crime in the 13 original states.

The New York Times

The stigma attaching to such a crime is unlikely to be much higher than for a parking offence, so again the conclusion seems to be that much can be criminalized without any serious assault on the adequacy of a person's options.

SEP

They must know that, thanks to the First Amendment and the Supreme Court, short of falsely shouting "fire" in a crowded church nothing anyone says from the pulpit can be criminalized.

Huffington Post

Shockingly, the SHAC USA verdict was recently held up on appeal by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court in Philadelphia, which found that even legal, constitutionally protected activity can be criminalized in the context of AETA prosecutions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Conversely, if adolescents are considered incapable of giving consent to sexual relations because of their lack of maturity and susceptibility to manipulation, then – as has happened recently in India – consensual adolescent sexuality can also be criminalized.

Harvard University

In Sierra Leone, women can also be criminalized for exposing their infants to HIV. "Any person who is and is aware of being infected with HIV or is carrying and is aware of carrying HIV antibodies shall not knowingly or recklessly place another person, and in the case of a pregnant women, the fetus, at risk of becoming infected with HIV," says Article 21 of the legislation.

Huffington Post

Most of the students were still in their teens, in their first semester at the school, and came from impoverished communities that a majority of Mexicans can identify with; they can't credibly be criminalized as "guerrillas" or "narcos".

The New Yorker

To them, only God can make life-or-death decisions, and palliative care should be criminalized.

Huffington Post

Can we sustain the general claim that conduct should, in principle, be criminalized only if and because it wrongs or harms 'the public' in this sense?

SEP

"Potentially abortion will be criminalized.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing policy or legal changes, use "can be criminalized" to clearly indicate the potential for certain actions to become illegal. For instance, "Online harassment can be criminalized under new cybercrime laws."

Common error

Avoid using "can be criminalized" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "made illegal" or "against the law" to maintain a natural tone. For example, instead of "littering can be criminalized", say "littering can be made illegal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be criminalized" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the possibility of an action or behavior becoming illegal. It implies that a legislative or judicial process could make something a crime, as seen in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be criminalized" effectively communicates the potential for an action or behavior to become illegal under the law. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in formal and neutral registers, particularly in legal, academic, and news contexts. While "can be criminalized" is suitable for formal discussions, simpler alternatives are preferable in casual settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, followed by scientific and academic contexts, highlighting its relevance in discussions about policy and ethics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be outlawed

Changes the auxiliary verb and replaces "criminalized" with a synonym, focusing on the legal prohibition aspect.

could be illegal

Uses a different modal verb to indicate possibility and replaces "criminalized" with a more common adjective.

might be prohibited by law

Emphasizes the legal aspect of the prohibition with a slightly more formal tone.

can be made unlawful

Focuses on the action of making something unlawful rather than the state of being criminalized.

may be subject to prosecution

Shifts the focus to the legal consequences of the action or behavior.

could face criminal charges

Highlights the potential for formal accusations in a legal setting.

might incur legal penalties

Focuses on the punishments associated with the action or behavior.

can become a punishable offense

Rephrases the concept as an action that results in an offense that can be punished.

may lead to criminal sanctions

Emphasizes the potential consequences of actions resulting in penalties.

could be deemed a crime

Uses a more declarative tone, emphasizing that an authority could classify something as a crime.

FAQs

How can I use "can be criminalized" in a sentence?

Use "can be criminalized" to indicate that certain actions or behaviors have the potential to become illegal under the law. For example, "spreading misinformation online can be criminalized if it incites violence".

What does it mean when something "can be criminalized"?

When something "can be criminalized", it means that the action or behavior has the potential to be made illegal by law, resulting in criminal penalties.

Which is a better choice, "can be criminalized" or "is illegal"?

"Can be criminalized" suggests a potential future state of illegality, while "is illegal" denotes something that is already against the law. The better choice depends on whether you're discussing a hypothetical or current legal status. For example, online stalking "is illegal" in many jurisdictions, while certain types of online speech "can be criminalized" if they meet specific criteria.

What are some alternatives to "can be criminalized"?

Alternatives include "may be outlawed", "could be made illegal", or "might be prohibited by law". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.