prosecuted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prosecuted by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the legal action taken against someone, indicating who is bringing the charges. Example: "The defendant was prosecuted by the state for multiple counts of fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vast majority of cases prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service are investigated by the police.

The Guardian - Opinion

Serious crimes are prosecuted by the Ministry of Justice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Felonies are prosecuted by the federal government.

The New York Times

Again he's prosecuted by the dogged, earnest Tommy Molto.

The New York Times - Books

(Criminal cases are prosecuted by the district attorney's office).

The New York Times

The children will be prosecuted by the city's law department.

The New York Times

The case was prosecuted by Richard Baker, an assistant district attorney in the Bronx.

The New York Times

The vast majority of murder cases are prosecuted by state authorities".

The New York Times

That provision blocks most cases involving conduct already prosecuted by another state or the federal government.

The New York Times

Its economy is already in ruins from a savage civil war prosecuted by Mr. Taylor.

The New York Times

That was the Bayou fund, which was prosecuted by the government for fraud in 2006.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal cases, ensure that you accurately identify the entity or authority that is bringing the charges, using "prosecuted by" to clearly indicate their role.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "prosecuted by", which refers to legal action, with 'persecuted by', which implies unjust or oppressive treatment. The former is a legal term, while the latter refers to harassment or oppression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prosecuted by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates the entity or authority responsible for bringing legal action against someone. Examples show its consistent use across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prosecuted by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that identifies the entity responsible for bringing legal charges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly found in news media and legal contexts. While the phrase is mostly neutral to formal, the alternatives like "charged by" or "indicted by" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure accurate identification of the prosecuting party and avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like 'persecuted by'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicted by

Focuses specifically on the formal accusation process before a trial.

charged by

Emphasizes the formal accusation of a crime or offense.

tried by

Highlights the legal proceedings and the body conducting the trial.

brought to justice by

Indicates that someone was made accountable by a specific entity.

subjected to legal proceedings by

A more formal way of indicating that legal action was initiated by someone.

taken to court by

Highlights the action of initiating legal proceedings.

sued by

Implies a civil lawsuit, rather than criminal prosecution.

litigated by

A more formal and less common alternative to "sued by".

challenged in court by

Suggests a formal contestation of a legal matter.

faced legal action from

Emphasizes the adversity of the legal challenge.

FAQs

What does "prosecuted by" mean in legal terms?

In legal terminology, "prosecuted by" indicates the entity, such as a government or an agency, that is bringing legal charges against a defendant in a criminal case. It identifies who is responsible for presenting the case against the accused.

What are some synonyms for "prosecuted by" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "charged by", "indicted by", or "tried by". Each of these alternatives emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the legal process.

Is it correct to say "prosecuted by" in both criminal and civil cases?

"Prosecuted by" is generally used in the context of criminal cases. In civil cases, it is more common to say "sued by" or "litigated by".

Who typically prosecutes a case?

Cases are typically prosecuted by government entities, such as a district attorney's office, a state attorney general, or the U.S. Department of Justice. These entities represent the interests of the public in ensuring justice is served.