open to accusations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "open to accusations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or person that is vulnerable to being criticized or blamed for something. Example: "The politician's controversial decisions left him open to accusations of corruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It won't be open to accusations of racism, either.

Independent

They lay themselves open to accusations of illegal conversion.

The Economist

Its absence leaves the Globes open to accusations of snobbery.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Cons: The system would be open to accusations of bias.

The Guardian - Tech

It has, the company says, left itself open to accusations of "poor record-keeping".

The Economist

The Big Seven are also open to accusations of hypocrisy over the badger cull crisis.

Independent

This weekend leaves Saracens open to accusations of raising two fingers at the LV Cup.

Independent

The pursuit of such friendly ties leaves the Coalition partners open to accusations of hypocrisy.

Independent

The bizarre nature of the ruling laid the judges open to accusations of incompetence or corruption.

The Economist

His 1982 book Lectures du Coran laid him open to accusations of heresy.

The Guardian

And those who disdained free verse would always be open to accusations of elitism, mandarinism.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open to accusations" when you want to emphasize the vulnerability of a person or entity to being formally blamed or criticized for something. This phrase often implies a potential for reputational damage or legal consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "open to accusations" when you mean "accusatory". "Open to accusations" describes a state of vulnerability, while "accusatory" describes something that makes accusations. For example, instead of saying "His statement was open to accusations", say "His statement was accusatory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open to accusations" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of vulnerability or susceptibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a situation or entity that is likely to face criticism or blame. Many examples provided by Ludwig show its use in contexts involving potential wrongdoing or ethical lapses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "open to accusations" signifies vulnerability to criticism or blame, often implying potential legal or ethical issues. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts, where it is used to describe situations ripe for controversy. Related phrases include "vulnerable to allegations" and "susceptible to blame". When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately portraying a state of vulnerability rather than making the accusation yourself. Common errors include confusing it with the adjective "accusatory". In essence, "open to accusations" serves as a critical descriptor, highlighting potential negative judgments or formal charges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable to allegations

Replaces "accusations" with "allegations", suggesting a slightly more formal or legalistic tone. The core meaning of susceptibility remains the same.

susceptible to blame

Focuses on the aspect of blame rather than formal accusations, implying a higher likelihood of being held responsible.

liable to be accused

Uses "liable" to indicate a legal or formal exposure to accusations, shifting the emphasis slightly.

exposed to criticism

Broadens the scope from formal accusations to general criticism, making it suitable for contexts beyond legal or ethical wrongdoing.

at risk of being blamed

Highlights the risk aspect, suggesting a potential future blame rather than a current state.

in danger of indictment

Specifies a legal consequence (indictment) as the potential outcome of the accusations, narrowing the context.

potentially facing charges

Similar to "liable to be accused" but emphasizes the potential and future aspect of facing charges.

defenseless against claims

Shifts the focus to the lack of defense against the claims, suggesting a weaker position.

cannot refute allegations

Highlights the inability to disprove the accusations, changing the emphasis to the lack of rebuttal.

without protection from reproaches

Emphasizes the absence of protection against harsh criticism or disapproval, indicating a vulnerable position.

FAQs

How can I use "open to accusations" in a sentence?

You can use "open to accusations" to describe a situation or person vulnerable to criticism or blame. For instance: "The company's lack of transparency left them "open to accusations" of corruption".

What's a more formal alternative to "open to accusations"?

A more formal alternative could be "vulnerable to allegations", which implies a similar susceptibility to being blamed but in a more formal or legal context.

Is it always negative to be "open to accusations"?

Yes, being ""open to accusations"" generally carries a negative connotation, as it suggests vulnerability to criticism, blame, or formal charges. It implies a weakness or fault that makes one susceptible to negative claims.

What is the difference between "open to accusations" and "making accusations"?

"Open to accusations" describes the state of being vulnerable to claims or blame, whereas "making accusations" describes the act of actually leveling charges against someone. The former is passive, the latter is active.