liable to be prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable to be prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is at risk of facing legal action or charges. Example: "If the evidence is sufficient, the suspect may be liable to be prosecuted for the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women who pay to travel are not breaking any law, but the women who cannot afford treatment in the UK and turn instead to the pills are liable to to be prosecuted, which has led campaigners to argue that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor.

The Guardian

Elisabeth Guigou, the Socialist justice minister, was rapped over the knuckles by colleagues in May for remarking that "the president is liable, like any other Frenchman, to be prosecuted if he has committed an offence".

The Economist

He's going to be prosecuted.

The New York Times

You need to be prosecuted".

The Guardian

If those leaders can be prosecuted, then I am ready to be prosecuted as well".

The New York Times

"He deserves to be prosecuted.

Huffington Post

That's liable to be controversial.

The New York Times

Anything above this was illicit and liable to be seized.

The Economist

If their numbers move, it is liable to be downward.

The New York Times

"The kid's liable to be scared into fits.

The New Yorker

Even the interview process is liable to be hijacked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liable to be prosecuted" in formal writing or legal contexts where you want to convey that someone is at risk of facing legal charges, but avoid using it in informal conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "liable to be prosecuted" in casual conversation; it sounds overly formal and legalistic. Opt for simpler phrases like "could get in trouble" or "might be charged" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to be prosecuted" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun and indicating a state of potential legal consequence. It expresses the condition of being at risk of facing legal charges. This is consistent with Ludwig's assessment.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "liable to be prosecuted" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote the risk of facing legal charges. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. Although there are not enough examples to determine its precise usage contexts and frequency, it is likely found in formal or legal settings, and less suitable for informal conversation. Alternatives such as "subject to prosecution" or "at risk of prosecution" may be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to prosecution

Replaces "liable to be" with "subject to", indicating a state of being under the authority or jurisdiction where prosecution is a possibility.

at risk of prosecution

Replaces "liable to be" with "at risk of", emphasizing the potential danger or negative consequence of prosecution.

may face prosecution

Uses "may face" to express the possibility of prosecution, focusing on the action of facing legal charges.

could be prosecuted

Employs "could be" to denote a potential future action of being prosecuted, suggesting a conditional possibility.

open to prosecution

Indicates a state of vulnerability to prosecution, where the individual or entity is exposed to legal action.

in danger of being prosecuted

Highlights the perilous situation of potentially facing prosecution, emphasizing the threat involved.

exposed to prosecution

Similar to "open to prosecution", but more strongly suggests a lack of protection against legal action.

vulnerable to prosecution

Emphasizes the weakness or susceptibility of the individual or entity to being prosecuted.

prosecution is a possibility

Shifts the focus to the prosecution itself, stating it as a potential outcome.

faces the possibility of prosecution

Highlights the active role of the individual or entity in encountering the potential for prosecution.

FAQs

How can I use "liable to be prosecuted" in a sentence?

You can use "liable to be prosecuted" to indicate that someone is at risk of facing legal action or charges. For example: "If the evidence is sufficient, the suspect may be liable to be prosecuted for the crime."

What can I say instead of "liable to be prosecuted"?

You can use alternatives like "subject to prosecution", "at risk of prosecution", or "may face prosecution" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "liable to be prosecuted"?

It is most appropriate in legal documents, formal reports, or news articles when discussing potential legal consequences for actions or behaviors. It is generally too formal for casual conversation.

Is there a difference between "liable to be prosecuted" and "subject to prosecution"?

While similar, "liable to be prosecuted" implies a greater probability or risk based on certain conditions, whereas "subject to prosecution" simply means someone falls under the jurisdiction where prosecution is possible.