prosecute the case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prosecute the case" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to refer to the act of pursuing legal action against someone in a court of law. Example: "The district attorney decided to prosecute the case after gathering sufficient evidence against the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mark Scott, solicitor for Mr Mubenga's family, with Bhatt Murphy solicitors, said: "The family look to the Crown Prosecution Service now to ensure that they prosecute the case with the rigour and robustness required by the evidence available to them.

Independent

Chris Koster, the Missouri attorney general, will prosecute the case.

The New York Times

The Police Department did not prosecute the case.

The New York Times

The people have a right to prosecute the case".

The New York Times

Since there is not enough evidence to prosecute the case, the investigation is dropped.

The New York Times

Mr. Hynes had planned to prosecute the case himself, a step he rarely takes.

The New York Times

"Is there any way to prosecute the case and keep the undercover officer's identify confidential?

The New York Times

He blamed Mr. Randall's celebrity for the district attorney's decision to prosecute the case.

The New York Times

Despite the decision not to prosecute, the case over the estate will continue in civil court.

The New York Times

Indian officials have said the dead fishermen are Indian, which gives them jurisdiction to prosecute the case.

The New York Times

By contrast, the civilian team came up with a way to prosecute the case without using any such statements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prosecute the case", ensure you have a clear understanding of the legal context and the specific charges involved. The phrase implies a formal legal process initiated by a prosecuting authority.

Common error

Avoid using "prosecute the case" when referring to informal disputes or situations that do not involve formal legal proceedings. This phrase is reserved for actions within the legal system.

Linguistic Context

Prosecute the case functions as a verb phrase with a direct object, where "prosecute" is the verb indicating the action of conducting legal proceedings, and "the case" is the object referring to the matter being legally pursued. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prosecute the case" is a grammatically correct and common expression primarily used within legal and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it describes the act of formally pursuing legal action. Alternatives like "pursue the case" or "litigate the case" offer similar meanings, though "prosecute the case" is more specifically tied to the actions of a prosecuting authority. Therefore, ensure you consider the level of formality and the specific legal context when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursue the case

Replaces "prosecute" with a more general term for following through with legal action.

litigate the case

Uses a more formal legal term for conducting a lawsuit.

bring the case to trial

Specifies the action of presenting the case in a court setting.

try the case

A simpler alternative that refers to the act of adjudicating the case in court.

conduct the prosecution

Focuses on the process of carrying out the legal action.

present the case against

Highlights the act of arguing against the defendant.

press charges

Emphasizes the initial decision to accuse someone formally.

take legal action

A broad term for initiating any type of lawsuit.

proceed with the case

Indicates the continuation of an existing legal process.

adjudicate the matter

Uses a formal term to suggest resolving the legal issue.

FAQs

How is "prosecute the case" typically used in legal contexts?

The phrase "prosecute the case" refers to the legal process where the prosecuting party presents evidence and arguments in court to prove the defendant's guilt. It indicates the active pursuit of legal action by the state or a prosecuting authority.

What are some alternatives to using "prosecute the case"?

You can use alternatives such as "pursue the case", "litigate the case", or "bring the case to trial" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "prosecute the case" and "investigate the case"?

"Investigate the case" refers to the process of gathering evidence and information to determine if a crime has been committed, while "prosecute the case" refers to the subsequent legal action taken to bring the accused to trial and seek a conviction. Investigation precedes prosecution.

When might a prosecutor choose not to "prosecute the case"?

A prosecutor might decline to "prosecute the case" if there is insufficient evidence, if the evidence was obtained illegally, if the accused agrees to a plea bargain for a lesser charge, or if it is determined that prosecuting the case is not in the public interest.