it was prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a legal case or action that has been formally charged and taken to court. Example: "The defendant was found guilty after it was prosecuted by the state attorney's office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It was prosecuted fairly and settled fairly," Ellis said.

The Washington Post

It was prosecuted by the British because of a deep anxiety over the spread of American democratic republicanism.

The New York Times - Magazine

State investigators described the shooting as an accident, and it was prosecuted under a charge often used in medical malpractice cases.

The New York Times

Since he was energetic and enthusiastic about art, he might have seemed the perfect lawyer to represent the Little Review when it was prosecuted.

The Guardian - Books

His was the "politics of goodness," but it was prosecuted with the same kind of obliviousness that has marked the early weeks of Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

It made national headlines in 1990, when it was prosecuted for including sexually charged images in a retrospective of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It was not political reform, it was prosecuting a crime.

The New York Times

But here it was, prosecuting yet another writer for his words.

The Guardian

Last week, the Justice Department announced it was prosecuting a handful of wealthy parents who allegedly paid enormous sums to fraudulently get their children admitted to elite colleges.

The Washington Post

For want of any binding issue (economic or ideological), it is prosecuted under the banner of a retroactive utopia called nationalism.

The New York Times

The obvious question will be: Is it a war crime and can it be prosecuted as such?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was prosecuted", ensure the subject ("it") is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what action, case, or entity underwent prosecution.

Common error

Avoid using "it was prosecuted" without clearly specifying what "it" refers to. Vague references can confuse the reader and weaken the clarity of your statement. Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was prosecuted" functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action of prosecution. Ludwig shows this is commonly used in contexts related to legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was prosecuted" is a grammatically sound passive construction commonly found in news and media contexts to describe past legal actions. Ludwig confirms its usage in various reputable sources. While the phrase is correct and usable, clarity can be enhanced by ensuring the subject of prosecution is clearly defined. Alternatives include "charges were filed" and "the matter was litigated", offering varied formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the matter was litigated

Replaces "prosecuted" with the more formal term "litigated", indicating legal contention.

prosecution ensued

Replaces the passive construction with an active one, emphasizing the action of prosecuting.

charges were filed

Focuses on the act of formally accusing someone of a crime, similar to prosecution.

the defendant was tried

Focuses on the defendant undergoing a trial, implying the act of prosecution.

legal action was initiated

Substitutes "prosecuted" with a more general term for starting a legal case.

the state pursued legal action

Identifies the prosecuting party (the state) and their active pursuit of legal means.

the government pressed charges

Highlights the government's role in actively pursuing prosecution.

the case went to trial

Highlights the progression of the case to the trial phase, indicating prosecution.

a lawsuit was filed

Indicates the commencement of a civil legal case, an alternative to criminal prosecution.

they brought the case to court

An active-voice alternative, emphasizing the action of bringing the case forward.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was prosecuted" to use an active voice?

You can use alternatives like "they prosecuted it" or "the state prosecuted the case". This shifts the focus to the prosecutor, making the sentence more direct.

What's a more formal synonym for "it was prosecuted"?

A more formal synonym would be "the matter was litigated". This term is often used in legal contexts to indicate a formal legal dispute.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "it was prosecuted"?

"It was prosecuted" is appropriate when discussing legal cases, criminal charges, or any situation where a formal accusation is pursued in a court of law. It's commonly used in news reports and legal documents.

Is there a difference between "it was prosecuted" and "charges were filed"?

While similar, "it was prosecuted" implies a more comprehensive legal process. "Charges were filed" simply means that formal accusations were made, but it doesn't necessarily mean the case went to trial.