must be prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is required to face legal action or charges for a crime or offense. Example: "If the evidence is sufficient, the suspect must be prosecuted to ensure justice is served."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"He must be prosecuted.

The New York Times

It is illegal and must be prosecuted.

Independent

Those responsible for heinous criminal acts must be prosecuted.

The New York Times

Did he forget to add that they must be prosecuted?

The New York Times

And for sure, if anyone is found to have behaved criminally they must be prosecuted.

Independent

That's why Mr. Duvalier must be prosecuted for his crimes against humanity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Opposition parties said authorities must decide whether Bayer should be prosecuted for incitement against a minority, and urged Fidesz to expel him.

The Guardian

Under Indonesian law, mental health patients cannot be prosecuted and must be cared for in a psychiatric hospital.

BBC

If, however, you want to make an offer in compromise, walk away from old tax debts in bankruptcy, or be sure you won't be prosecuted, you must first file all missing returns.

Forbes

To be prosecuted, the carrier must have had unprotected sex with a partner who did not know that they had the virus, despite themselves being aware they are HIV positive and understand how it is transmitted.

Independent

Those who support these proposals present the government's position in stark terms with a familiar argument: when there is insufficient evidence for a dangerous person to be prosecuted, the government must have some way of protecting the public from him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must be prosecuted" when emphasizing a firm legal or ethical obligation for someone to face charges. Ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "must be prosecuted" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for milder alternatives like "should be investigated" or "needs to answer for their actions" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be prosecuted" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong imperative for legal action. As Ludwig AI shows, it's predominantly used to convey that someone has a legal or moral obligation to face charges for a crime or offense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be prosecuted" is a grammatically correct construction used to express a strong imperative for legal action, as validated by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its suitability for professional, legal, or formal discussions. Alternatives like "should face prosecution" and "ought to be brought to justice" offer varying degrees of emphasis. While effective in conveying a firm obligation, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's appropriate usage and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should face prosecution

Replaces "must" with "should", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict obligation.

ought to be brought to justice

Emphasizes the moral imperative of prosecution.

needs to be held accountable

Focuses on accountability, broadening the scope beyond just legal prosecution.

should be held legally responsible

Highlights the legal aspect of responsibility.

has to answer for their actions

Suggests a broader form of accountability, not necessarily limited to prosecution.

is required to stand trial

Highlights the procedural aspect of facing legal charges.

is subject to legal proceedings

Focuses on the legal process that will be undertaken.

demands legal action

Emphasizes that legal action is not just necessary, but required.

warrants legal pursuit

Indicates that the situation justifies legal action being taken.

deserves to be tried in court

Emphasizes the fairness of a trial being conducted.

FAQs

How to use "must be prosecuted" in a sentence?

Use "must be prosecuted" to express a strong legal or moral obligation for someone to face legal charges. For example, "Those responsible for the crime must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law".

What can I say instead of "must be prosecuted"?

You can use alternatives like "should face prosecution", "ought to be brought to justice", or "needs to be held accountable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "must be prosecuted" or "should be prosecuted"?

"Must be prosecuted" implies a stronger obligation than "should be prosecuted". "Must" suggests a legal or ethical imperative, while "should" indicates a recommendation.

What's the difference between "must be prosecuted" and "needs to be investigated"?

"Must be prosecuted" implies sufficient evidence exists to warrant legal charges. "Needs to be investigated" suggests that further inquiry is necessary before deciding whether to prosecute.