in prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the process of pursuing a legal case or action against someone. Example: "The defendant is currently in prosecution for multiple charges related to fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not all resulted in prosecution.

Independent

None resulted in prosecution.

The New York Times

Could you explain the difficulty in prosecution with sexual harassment cases in India?

The New York Times

In 2008 two dozen of 404 cases resulted in prosecution, though just 14 ended with convictions.

The Economist

Kiddie was also ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs, and a £60 victim surcharge.

The Guardian

It's hard to name any prosecutors that lose office for overzealousness in prosecution".

The New York Times

Yet only 1% of stalking cases recorded by the police result in prosecution.

The Guardian - Opinion

In South Africa, like narcotics, their trade can result in prosecution.

The Guardian - Opinion

But international courts now need to prioritise gender-based crimes in prosecution strategies.

The Guardian

Buying horses for slaughter in California is illegal, but there appears to be little interest in prosecution.

The New York Times

She said the repeated extensions of the investigation had left her with dwindling hope that it would end in prosecution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in prosecution", ensure the context clearly indicates which legal action or case you are referring to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the defendant or the nature of the charges.

Common error

Avoid using "in prosecution" without clearly defining what specific case or legal action is being discussed. For example, instead of saying "issues in prosecution arose", specify "issues in the prosecution of the defendant for fraud arose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in prosecution" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify a noun or verb by indicating the state, condition, or context of being subjected to legal action. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in prosecution" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase widely used to denote that someone or something is undergoing legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its high frequency in news and media, scientific publications, and formal documents indicates its relevance across multiple domains. While alternatives like "under prosecution" or "facing prosecution" exist, "in prosecution" remains a clear and effective choice for describing a state of legal action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under prosecution

Switches the preposition used while maintaining similar meaning.

during the prosecution

Adds specificity regarding the timing of events.

facing prosecution

Highlights the act of undergoing prosecution.

subject to prosecution

Emphasizes the liability or risk of prosecution.

in legal proceedings

Replaces "prosecution" with a broader term for legal action.

during litigation

Uses a synonym for legal action.

in court

Refers to the location where the prosecution happens.

under indictment

Specifies a particular stage in the prosecution process.

under legal scrutiny

Focuses on the investigative aspect.

within the judicial process

Uses a more formal and encompassing phrase.

FAQs

How is "in prosecution" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "in prosecution" indicates a state or process of being legally pursued. For example, "The defendant is "under prosecution" for fraud", or "Evidence presented "during the prosecution" revealed new details".

What's the difference between "in prosecution" and "under prosecution"?

Both "in prosecution" and "under prosecution" are largely interchangeable, with the latter perhaps slightly more common in contemporary usage. They both indicate that someone is currently facing legal charges and the legal process is ongoing.

Can I use "in prosecution" in contexts other than legal settings?

While "in prosecution" is primarily used in legal contexts, it could be used metaphorically in other settings to describe a sustained effort to prove or disprove something. However, this usage is rare and could sound unusual. Sticking to the primary, legal context is generally advisable.

What phrases are similar to "in prosecution"?

Similar phrases include "facing prosecution", "subject to prosecution", "in legal proceedings", or "under indictment", each carrying slightly different nuances depending on the stage and focus of the legal process.