have been prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has faced legal action or been charged with a crime in the past. Example: "The individuals involved in the fraud scheme have been prosecuted for their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Crown Prosecution Service has said he should have been prosecuted for 1960s abuse in Rochdale.

BBC

The Crown Prosecution Service has said Sir Cyril should have been prosecuted.

BBC

A number of writers have been prosecuted.

The Economist

Lord Janner should have been prosecuted".

The Guardian

To date, 265 businesses have been prosecuted.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, lesser-known activists have been prosecuted and jailed.

The New York Times

Cashman said, "he should have been prosecuted in Ohio.

The New Yorker

So far more than 50 demonstrators have been prosecuted.

The Guardian

"It's a case that should never have been prosecuted criminally.

The New York Times

"More than 950 legal cases have been prosecuted.

Independent

Others have been prosecuted for trying to steal seats.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the implications of using the passive voice. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes obscure who initiated the prosecution. Choose active voice constructions when emphasizing the role of the prosecuting party.

Common error

Avoid using "have been prosecuted" in contexts where it's crucial to know who initiated the legal action. For example, instead of saying "The company has been prosecuted", specify "The government prosecuted the company" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been prosecuted" functions as the past participle in the passive voice of the verb "prosecute". It indicates that a subject has been subjected to legal proceedings. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where individuals or entities are described as having undergone prosecution for various offenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been prosecuted" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone has faced legal action for an alleged offense. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the implications of the passive voice and ensure clarity regarding who initiated the prosecution. Alternative phrases like "faced prosecution" or "been charged with a crime" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced prosecution

Focuses on the experience of undergoing legal proceedings.

been charged with a crime

Highlights the specific accusation of a criminal offense.

been indicted

Implies a formal accusation by a grand jury.

stood trial

Emphasizes the act of being subjected to a legal trial.

been brought to justice

Highlights the achievement of fairness and legal resolution.

been held accountable

Focuses on responsibility and facing the consequences.

been subject to legal action

A more formal way to express the experience of legal proceedings.

had legal proceedings initiated against them

Emphasizes the commencement of the legal process.

been the subject of a lawsuit

Highlights the involvement in a civil legal dispute.

been penalized

Focuses on the imposition of a punishment or sanction.

FAQs

How can I use "have been prosecuted" in a sentence?

Use "have been prosecuted" to indicate that someone or a group of people faced legal charges. For example, "The corrupt officials "have been prosecuted" for bribery and embezzlement".

What's the difference between "have been prosecuted" and "have been convicted"?

"Have been prosecuted" means someone has been formally charged and undergone legal proceedings, while "have been convicted" means they have been found guilty in court.

Is it correct to say "should have been prosecuted"?

Yes, "should have been prosecuted" is grammatically correct. It implies that someone deserved to be charged with a crime but wasn't. For example, "Sir Cyril should "have been prosecuted" for 1960s abuse in Rochdale".

What are some alternatives to "have been prosecuted"?

Alternatives include "faced prosecution", "been charged with a crime", or "been brought to justice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.