he was indicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was indicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has been formally charged with a crime by a grand jury. Example: "After a lengthy investigation, he was indicted on multiple counts of fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he was indicted.

The New York Times

He was indicted and arrested that May.

The New Yorker

He was indicted on 15 counts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was indicted in 2014.

The Washington Post

He was indicted 18 months ago.

The Guardian

He was indicted in absentia in 2006.

The New York Times

He was indicted by the government in November.

The New Yorker

The following June he was indicted by the state.

The New Yorker

He was indicted in both killings in January 2011.

The New York Times

He was indicted on a charge of murder.

The New Yorker

He was indicted, imprisoned and declared a monster.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, ensure accurate use of "he was indicted" to specifically denote the grand jury's decision to formally accuse someone of a crime, as opposed to simply being arrested or charged.

Common error

Avoid using "he was indicted" interchangeably with "he was convicted". Indictment is merely the formal accusation, whereas conviction signifies a finding of guilt in a court of law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was indicted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being formally accused. As Ludwig AI shows, this is common in legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was indicted" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a person has been formally accused of a crime by a grand jury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in news and academic contexts, reflecting its neutral and informative function. While alternatives exist, such as "he faced charges", it's crucial to distinguish indictment from conviction. Understanding and properly using "he was indicted" contributes to precision and accuracy in legal and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was formally accused

Highlights the official nature of the accusation.

an indictment was issued against him

Shifts focus to the legal document itself.

charges were brought against him

Emphasizes the formal presentation of accusations.

he faced charges

Focuses on the individual confronting legal accusations.

criminal proceedings were initiated against him

More formal and detailed way of saying someone was indicted.

he stood accused

Conveys a more dramatic or historical tone.

he was prosecuted

Highlights the legal process of pursuing a case against him.

he was arraigned

Specifies the initial court appearance after indictment.

he was booked on charges

Focuses on the arrest and initial processing.

he was cited for

Highlights the specific law he is said to have broken.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "he was indicted"?

Saying "he was indicted" means a grand jury has formally accused the person of a crime, based on presented evidence. It's not a judgment of guilt, but the start of the legal process.

Is being indicted the same as being convicted?

No, indictment and conviction are different. Indictment is a formal accusation, while conviction means guilt has been proven in court. You can use alternatives like "he was convicted" if the person has been found guilty.

What are some alternatives to saying "he was indicted"?

You could say "he was formally accused", "charges were brought against him", or "he faced charges" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What happens after someone is indicted?

After someone is indicted, they typically go through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and potentially a trial. The indictment is a key step that leads to further legal proceedings.