criminalized to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminalized to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used in contexts discussing actions or behaviors that have been made illegal, but the phrase itself is incomplete without a direct object or context. Example: "The new law criminalized the act of texting while driving."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When Bernie Sanders calls for an end to mass incarceration, he is articulating an important idea: this country has over-criminalized to its own detriment, and must shift state investments from punishment to support.

Huffington Post

As Justice David Souter noted in dissent, it makes no sense to criminalize proposing to sell items that are themselves constitutionally protected.

The New York Times

"These aspiring Americans should not be criminalized, subjected to dehumanizing solitary confinement or indefinitely detained," Carmona said.

Los Angeles Times

Black students' (mis behavior is more often criminalized compared to other students.

Huffington Post

He seeks to criminalize abortion and to criminally charge doctors for performing them.

The New York Times

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld state laws that criminalize refusing to show identification to police.

Los Angeles Times

In many cases, the dispute over panhandling centers on whether a city's efforts to criminalize aggressive begging to protect pedestrians and businesses ends up overreaching.

The New York Times

The Senate, by contrast, also criminalizes "attempts" to defraud.

The New York Times

Who needs the government to try to criminalize journalism when you have David Gregory to do it?

Huffington Post

"There has to be a limit to what behavior we are going to criminalize after people leave Congress".

The New York Times

It also prohibited undocumented immigrants from working, and criminalized the failure to carry immigration documents.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "criminalized to" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use phrases like "made illegal" or "subjected to criminal penalties" for clarity.

Common error

The phrase "criminalized to" is often missing a direct object, leaving the sentence unfinished. Ensure you specify what action or behavior is being criminalized for the sentence to be grammatically correct. For example: "The new law criminalized the act of texting while driving."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminalized to" is grammatically incomplete. "Criminalized" functions as a verb that requires a direct object to specify what action or behavior has been made illegal. The absence of this object renders the phrase incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "criminalized to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incomplete. To express the idea of making something illegal, use grammatically correct alternatives like "made illegal", "outlawed", or use "criminalized" followed by a direct object (e.g., "criminalized the action"). Proper usage enhances clarity and ensures effective communication. The phrase itself lacks examples in reliable sources, further emphasizing its incorrect usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made illegal

Replaces "criminalized" with a simpler and more direct term, focusing on the act of making something unlawful.

outlawed

A synonym for "made illegal", emphasizing the prohibition of an action or behavior.

prohibited

Similar to "outlawed" but can apply to a wider range of contexts, including formal regulations and informal rules.

declared illegal

Emphasizes the act of formally announcing something as unlawful.

banned

A more informal term for prohibiting something, often used in contexts of censorship or social disapproval.

subjected to criminal penalties

Focuses on the consequences of violating the law, rather than the act of making something illegal.

rendered unlawful

A more formal way of saying "made illegal", often used in legal or official contexts.

made punishable by law

Highlights the legal consequences associated with an action or behavior.

legislated against

Focuses on the legislative action taken to prohibit something.

deemed a crime

Emphasizes the categorization of an action as a criminal offense.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "criminalized" in a sentence?

The word "criminalized" needs a direct object. A correct sentence structure would be: "The new law "criminalized the act" of texting while driving."

What are some alternatives to the grammatically incorrect phrase "criminalized to"?

Instead of "criminalized to", use phrases like "made illegal", "outlawed", or "prohibited" for clearer and more accurate writing.

Is it acceptable to use the phrase "criminalized to" in formal writing?

No, "criminalized to" is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for grammatically sound alternatives such as "the government "decided to criminalize" the action."

How does the meaning change when using "criminalized" versus "made illegal"?

While both terms convey the concept of making something against the law, "criminalized" often implies a more formal or legal process. However, both terms require a direct object to be grammatically correct, for example: "the state "criminalized burning"" or "the state "made burning illegal"".