initial allegation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial allegation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first claim or accusation made in a legal or formal context. Example: "The initial allegation made by the plaintiff was that the defendant had breached the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Confusing the matter further, Brown's former team-mate Jerry Rice suggested on Tuesday that he agreed with the initial allegation.

The Guardian - Sport

Since her initial allegation on May 14, the accuser has repeatedly lied, one of the law enforcement officials said.

The New York Times

That suggests that interest in the story being debunked has been higher than interest in the initial allegation.

The Washington Post

When the initial allegation was made in 2010, Loomis denied any knowledge of the bounties and pledged that he would make sure no program was in place.

The New York Times - Sports

"We take this very seriously and have been investigating this matter since the initial allegation," said Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

Everton admitted to the initial allegation and the club's internal inquiry established that similar misconduct had occurred in relation to six other academy players.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He reminded the jury that the complainant had admitted under oath that he had changed his story about the alleged rape, withdrawing his initial allegations that Evans had forced him into his bedroom.

The Guardian

Downing Street had initially refused to publish its inquiry into the initial allegations against Malik, but changed its mind yesterday.

The Guardian

"I have never been asked to testify," said Dylan, whose initial allegations were only via video.

The Guardian - Film

"Our initial allegations have been repeatedly upheld by industry insiders," Sato said.

The Guardian

Soon after the initial allegations, a video circulated online in which the designer praised Adolf Hitler.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal or investigative matters, use "initial allegation" to clearly denote the first claim made, distinguishing it from subsequent developments or related claims. This is important to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid conflating the "initial allegation" with the eventual outcome of an investigation. The initial allegation is merely the starting point; the truthfulness or validity of the allegation is determined later through due process and evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial allegation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the starting point of an accusation or claim. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial allegation" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote the first claim or accusation in a sequence of events, often within legal or investigative contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure you distinguish it from subsequent findings or substantiated claims, as it merely represents the starting point of a potential issue. Consider using alternatives like "first claim" or "original accusation" for subtle variations in meaning. Correct usage helps maintain clarity and objectivity in reporting and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first claim

Focuses on the order of the claim, emphasizing that it's the first one made.

original accusation

Simply replaces "initial" with its synonym "original", retaining the core meaning.

opening accusation

Highlights the accusatory nature of the statement and its role as the beginning of a series of accusations.

preliminary accusation

Indicates that the accusation is early and possibly subject to change or further investigation.

original assertion

Emphasizes the origin of the statement and its character as an assertion.

primary charge

Highlights the formal aspect of the allegation as a charge, often in a legal context.

starting allegation

Uses "starting" as a synonym for "initial", maintaining a similar level of formality.

original complaint

Focuses on the act of complaining and its role as the origin of a formal grievance.

first contention

Highlights that the allegation is a point of contention or argument.

opening gambit

Implies that the allegation is the opening move in a larger strategic process, often contentious.

FAQs

How can I use "initial allegation" in a sentence?

You can use "initial allegation" to refer to the first claim made in a formal context, such as "The investigation began after the "initial allegation" of fraud was reported".

What's a good alternative to "initial allegation"?

Alternatives include "first claim", "preliminary accusation", or "original accusation", each offering a slightly different emphasis depending on the context.

Is it better to say "initial allegation" or "first allegation"?

Both "initial allegation" and "first allegation" are acceptable. "Initial" often implies a formal or investigative context, while "first" simply denotes the order in which the allegation was made.

What's the difference between an "initial allegation" and a "substantiated claim"?

An "initial allegation" is the unproven starting point of a claim. A "substantiated claim" means the allegation has been verified by evidence. The "initial allegation" is just the beginning, while a substantiated claim is the result of an investigation.