he accused of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he accused of" is not correct in English as it is incomplete.
It can be used when followed by a specific action or crime that someone is being accused of. Example: "He accused of stealing the money." (should be "He accused him of stealing the money.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Karzai also sharply criticized The New York Times, the BBC, The Times of London and CNN, all of whom he accused of spreading the accusations of fraud.

The New York Times

Is he accused of being the brain of the operation?

The New York Times

But what of Andre Walker, whom he accused of betrayal?

The Guardian

He broke with Joseph, whom he accused of "going native".

The Guardian

Three years ago he rounded up numerous citizens he accused of witchcraft, sometimes with lethal consequences.

The New York Times

Regarding the death associated with the fire, was he accused of responsibility for the death?

The New York Times

But never, until Brexit, was he accused of trying to block the government's critical legislation.

The New York Times

He thundered against wholesalers, whom he accused of raising the price of onions and potatoes.

The New York Times

Cano strongly opposed the influence of his fellow Dominican Bartolome de Carranza, whom he accused of Lutheranism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He still has not apologised to Steven Pagones, a prosecutor whom he accused of taking part in the rape.

The Economist

Mr Rahman said his family felt let down by the ECF, whom he accused of ignoring their repeated concerns.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he accused", always specify whom he accused, and use the preposition "of" correctly: "He accused him of lying" is grammatically sound.

Common error

Avoid using "he accused of" without specifying the person being accused. The correct structure requires both the accuser, the accused, and the accusation: "He accused her of negligence", not simply "He accused of negligence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he accused of" functions as a verb phrase that introduces an accusation. However, as Ludwig AI shows, this construction is incomplete and grammatically incorrect without specifying the person being accused. Examples demonstrate the need for a direct object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "he accused of" appears frequently, as noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically incomplete. To use it correctly, always specify the person being accused: "He accused him of..." is the correct form. When writing, consider using alternatives like "he charged with" or "he alleged that" for increased formality and clarity. This construction is most commonly found in news and media, but remember to adhere to grammatical standards for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he charged with

Specifically implies a formal accusation, often in a legal context.

he blamed for

Emphasizes assigning responsibility for a negative outcome or action. Slightly less formal than some alternatives.

he held responsible for

Highlights the act of holding someone accountable for something.

he alleged that

Indicates a statement of accusation without proof. Places emphasis on the speaker's claim.

he suspected of

Suggests a belief of guilt or involvement, without concrete evidence.

he implicated in

Suggests involvement in a crime or wrongdoing, often without a direct accusation.

he denounced for

Emphasizes public condemnation or criticism.

he pointed the finger at

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the act of directing blame towards someone.

he rebuked for

Implies a strong disapproval or reprimand for an action or behavior.

he attributed to

Indicates assigning a cause or characteristic, which can sometimes imply blame.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "he accused" in a sentence?

The correct structure is "he accused [person] of [action]". For example, "He accused her of stealing the money". Ensure you include the person being accused and the specific accusation.

What's a more formal way to say "he accused of"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "he charged with" or "he alleged that". For example, instead of "He accused of fraud", use "He was "charged with" fraud" or "He "alleged that" fraud had occurred".

Is "he accused of" grammatically correct?

No, "he accused of" is grammatically incorrect. You must specify who he accused: "He accused him of..." is the correct form. Alternatively, you can use constructions like "He was "accused of"...".

What are some alternatives to "he accused of" that don't use the word "accuse"?

Depending on the context, you could use "he blamed for", "he "held responsible" for", or "he suspected of". Each carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.