it has been prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in legal contexts to indicate that a case or individual has been formally charged and taken to court. Example: "The defendant has maintained their innocence, but it has been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It has been prosecuted five times and fined £8,850, more than any other firm.

The Guardian - Money

It has been prosecuted throughout eight Administrations and has had the type of social and cultural impact that few things short of real warfare do.

The New Yorker

He added, "Needless to say, the war in Afghanistan was not 'a war of Obama's choosing.' It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama".

The New York Times

It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In an era when the secrecy around the Intelligence Community has only grown and those leaking information from it have been prosecuted with a fierceness unprecedented in our history, we out here in what passes for the world don't have much of a way to judge the value of the "product" it produces.

Huffington Post

Gerald Shamash, who represented former England footballer Paul Gascoigne and ex-BBC executive Alan Yentob, said: "My clients have been subjected to a considerable barrage of interception and it's somewhat surprising no one has been prosecuted for it".

The Guardian

But to date, no-one in Britain has been prosecuted for it, despite reports that it is on the rise.

BBC

Even though it's unlikely that anyone has been prosecuted for uncertified modem use abroad, the Global Pro will at least keep your conscience clear.

Forbes

It was clear in the events surrounding the death of the teacher and activist Blair Peach more than 30 years ago; it was clear in the events surrounding the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in 2005 for which no one has been prosecuted; and it is as clear now in the response to Ian Tomlinson's death.

The Guardian - Opinion

No previous climber of Nelson's column has been prosecuted for it.

The Guardian

It is the first time a person has been prosecuted for using drones.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, ensure that the term "it has been prosecuted" is used in contexts where formal charges have indeed been filed and legal proceedings have commenced. Avoid using it loosely to mean simply 'investigated'.

Common error

Don't assume that "it has been prosecuted" if a case is merely under investigation. Prosecution specifically refers to the stage after charges are filed and the case proceeds toward trial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been prosecuted" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has undergone legal proceedings. As Ludwig indicates, it's grammatically correct and used to describe a formal legal action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been prosecuted" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that formal legal proceedings have been initiated against a subject. As Ludwig's analysis shows, its primary function is to inform, and it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it carries a degree of formality due to its legal connotations. Alternatives such as "legal proceedings were initiated" or "charges were filed" may be used to convey similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prosecution was undertaken

A more formal and emphatic way of saying it was prosecuted.

legal proceedings were initiated

Replaces the more direct "prosecuted" with a formal description of legal action.

charges were filed

Focuses on the formal accusation aspect of prosecution.

a case was brought

Emphasizes the commencement of a legal case.

the matter was litigated

Highlights the contentious nature of the process.

legal action was taken

Broadly describes engaging in legal measures.

the lawsuit was pursued

Focuses on the act of continuing with a legal claim.

an indictment was issued

Specific to criminal cases where a formal charge is presented.

the defendant was tried

Highlights the process of examining evidence in court.

the case went to trial

Describes the progression of a case to the trial phase.

FAQs

What does "it has been prosecuted" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "it has been prosecuted" means that a formal legal process has been initiated against someone or something, with charges filed and proceedings underway. This is different from merely being investigated.

What's the difference between "it has been prosecuted" and "it has been investigated"?

"It has been investigated" implies an inquiry is taking place, whereas "it has been prosecuted" indicates that formal charges have been filed and the case is moving through the legal system. Investigation precedes prosecution.

Can I use "it has been prosecuted" in non-legal contexts?

While primarily used in legal contexts, "it has been prosecuted" can metaphorically apply to the rigorous pursuit of any endeavor, though this is less common. For example, "The initiative has been prosecuted with vigor."

What are some alternatives to "it has been prosecuted"?

Alternatives include "legal proceedings were initiated", "charges were filed", or "a case was brought", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.