prosecute for

USAGE SUMMARY

"prosecute for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which a person or organization is accusing someone of a crime and taking them to court. Example: The police will prosecute for the murder of the local politician.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The commission cannot prosecute for crimes.

The Washington Post

The division is empowered to prosecute for price-gouging.

The New York Times

"I would imagine that depending on the findings we would certainly prosecute for fraud," she added.

The New York Times

The federal government finds it much easier to prosecute for that behavior".

The New York Times

Police usually chose not to prosecute for such tiny amounts of marijuana, he added.

The Guardian

We think there was jurisdiction to prosecute for the offense charged within the western district of Missouri.

Cornell University

To try and retrospectively prosecute for that culture that existed then but not now is going to be difficult.

Independent

"We will not hesitate to prosecute for defamation anyone who repeats this false information," an aide to Macron said.

The Guardian

Authority to prosecute for criminal contempt is found in Rule 17(g), Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and 18 U.S.C. 401(3), 18 U.S.C.A. § 401(3).

Cornell University

Because of that refusal, other public officers, parties to these appeals, announce a purpose to prosecute for trading without a license and to recover heavy penalties.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It has no powers to impose fines or prosecute for abuses those who are licensed; that responsibility lies with the police.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prosecute for", clearly specify the crime or offense for which someone is being prosecuted to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "prosecute for fraud" is more precise than simply "prosecute".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "prosecute for" guarantees a conviction. Prosecution is merely the first step in the legal process; a conviction requires proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prosecute for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of bringing legal charges against someone for a specific offense. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prosecute for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates the act of bringing legal charges against someone for a specific offense. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify the crime. While prosecution is a critical step in the legal process, it does not guarantee a conviction. Alternatives like "bring charges against for" and "indict for" offer similar meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring charges against for

Focuses on the act of formally accusing someone of a crime.

indict for

Highlights the formal accusation by a grand jury.

take legal action against for

Highlights the legal process initiated against someone.

press charges for

Emphasizes the act of formally accusing someone of an offense.

initiate legal proceedings for

Stresses the commencement of a formal legal case.

hold accountable for

Focuses on making someone responsible for their actions.

seek legal redress for

Highlights the pursuit of a remedy through legal means.

sue for

Focuses on initiating a civil lawsuit.

litigate for

Implies engaging in a legal contest in court.

bring to trial for

Emphasizes the process of presenting a case in court.

FAQs

How is "prosecute for" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "prosecute for" indicates that a governing body is bringing legal charges against an individual or entity for a specific crime. This means the government believes there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.

What are some alternatives to "prosecute for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bring charges against for", "indict for", or "take legal action against for".

When might authorities decide not to "prosecute for" a crime?

Authorities may decide not to "prosecute for" a crime due to insufficient evidence, lack of resources, the minor nature of the offense, or if prosecuting would not be in the public interest.

What is the difference between "prosecute for" and "sue for"?

"Prosecute for" refers to criminal proceedings initiated by the government, while "sue for" refers to civil proceedings initiated by a private party seeking damages or other remedies.