prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the act of bringing a case against someone in a court of law. Example: "The defendant was prosecuted for theft after the evidence was presented in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The White House strongly condemned the prosecution and called on Egyptian government to immediately pardon hose prosecuted so they could be released.

The Guardian

The Crown Prosecution Service decided the following year that no individual should be prosecuted.

The Guardian

Earlier on Thursday, Eddie Obeid told ABC radio there was only a 1% chance he would be prosecuted over his conduct, and that the "Hollywood-style" Icac report was "all about grabbing media headlines".

The Guardian

Earlier this year the appeal court rejected a legal challenge by Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis patient, who wanted a guarantee that her husband would not be prosecuted for helping her to travel to Switzerland to take her life.

The Guardian

"It's the first time that somebody in Egypt will be prosecuted for this crime, and it should be a lesson for every clinician.

The Guardian

For example, rape and enforced prostitution were successfully prosecuted as war crimes in UNWCC-supported trials.

The Guardian

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) served the notice to Obeid on Thursday afternoon after the former Labor minister Ian Macdonald was informed he was being prosecuted over corrupt conduct.

The Guardian

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prosecuted Hopeafter he ran a scam in which he claimed to be making large returns for investors from the profits of his foreign exchange trading.

The Guardian - Business

While some employers have been prosecuted for murder or extreme physical abuse, migrant workers face many legal and practical obstacles if they decide to take action.

The Guardian

The article praised the prime minister's "instinctive" response that "If you go abroad to join a terrorist group and you seek to come back to Australia, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and jailed" in comparison with Shorten's reaction that "There are laws in place, I'm not going to play judge and jury".

The Guardian

Schoolchildren are prosecuted for making fun of a president who appears increasingly thin-skinned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prosecuted", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific crime or legal violation for which the person is being charged. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "prosecuted" in a way that obscures who is bringing the charges. Instead of saying "he was prosecuted", specify "he was prosecuted by the state" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prosecuted" is as a past participle or past tense verb, indicating that someone has been subjected to legal proceedings. Ludwig shows examples where it describes actions taken by legal authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "prosecuted" functions as a verb indicating that someone has been formally charged and tried for a crime. According to Ludwig, this term is grammatically correct and very commonly used, primarily in news and media contexts. It carries a neutral to formal register, reflecting the seriousness of legal proceedings. When using "prosecuted", clarity is essential to avoid ambiguity regarding who is bringing the charges. Alternatives include "brought to trial", "indicted", and "faced legal action". The high frequency and authoritative sources, as indicated by Ludwig, underscore its significance in discussing legal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charged

Highlights the formal accusation of a crime.

brought to trial

Focuses on the act of initiating legal proceedings against someone.

indicted

Specifically refers to the formal accusation by a grand jury.

prosecution ensued

Emphasizes the beginning of the legal process.

faced legal action

A more general term referring to any type of legal proceeding.

litigated against

Formal term indicating the act of engaging in a lawsuit.

subjected to legal proceedings

Highlights the formal and often complex nature of the legal process.

sued

Implies legal action, but typically in a civil context.

taken to court

Informal way of saying someone is being prosecuted.

answerable to justice

Focuses on accountability within the legal system.

FAQs

How is "prosecuted" typically used in a sentence?

The word "prosecuted" is generally used to indicate that someone is being formally charged and tried for a crime. For example, "The defendant was "prosecuted" for fraud" indicates a legal process has begun.

What's the difference between "charged" and "prosecuted"?

"Charged" means formally accused of a crime, while "prosecuted" means that legal proceedings have commenced to prove that charge. Someone is charged first, and then may be "prosecuted".

What are some alternatives to using the word "prosecuted"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "prosecuted" include phrases such as "brought to trial", "indicted", or "faced legal action".

Can a person be "prosecuted" even if they are not guilty?

Yes, a person can be "prosecuted" regardless of their guilt or innocence. Prosecution is the process of presenting a case in court, and the outcome depends on the evidence and legal arguments presented.