prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to reference the act of prosecuting someone for a crime, or to refer to the people responsible for a prosecution - usually the lawyers and investigators associated with a criminal court case. Example: The prosecution provided evidence to the jury that the defendant had committed the crime.

✓ 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

We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest".

The Guardian

In 2010, parliament granted Nazerbayev special status as "father of the nation", giving him immunity from prosecution.

The Guardian

It might be thought, in such circumstances, that there is little more that can be added to the prosecution case against the "community charge".

The Guardian - Opinion

The most the prosecution ever asserted was that Kercher's DNA was on the tip of the blade.

The Guardian - Opinion

Darrell Issa, in charge of the US house of representative's investigation of the Justice Department's prosecution of Swartz, told the Huffington Post that "overprosecution is a tool often used to get people to plead guilty rather than risk sentencing… If someone is genuinely guilty of something and you bring them up on charges, that's fine.

The Guardian - Tech

Their testimony was central to the prosecution case that Hill was fully mentally capable and should be put to death for his crimes.

The Guardian

Bringing a prosecution under this act was always going to be difficult because it requires an explicit agreement to pay money or some other "valuable consideration", such as a loan, in return for an honour.

The Guardian

The prosecution claimed that Mote submitted numerous false claims for parliamentary assistance allowances for payment for work that organisations had carried out on his behalf.

The Guardian

During the discussion David Goldblatt, a sports commentator for the Guardian and others, argued that the UK's experience dealing with its own discrimination problems had shown the need for a three-pronged approach: condemnation of racism from official football organisations, the growth of anti-discrimination fan organisations and the prosecution of high-profile violations by fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Similar protests on the mainland would be unthinkable – even organisers of seemingly benign demonstrations are subject to extreme intimidation, even prosecution.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the act of prosecuting, the prosecuting party, or the legal proceedings themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "prosecution" when you mean "persecution". "Prosecution" refers to the legal process of bringing charges against someone, while "persecution" implies unjust or cruel treatment, often based on prejudice.

Linguistic Context

The word "prosecution" functions primarily as a noun. It denotes the institution and conducting of legal proceedings against a defendant, or the party conducting those proceedings. Ludwig confirms that "prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "prosecution" is a noun that commonly refers to the act of instituting or conducting legal proceedings against someone, or the party responsible for doing so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable term in English, primarily functioning to describe ongoing legal actions. Usage is very common, especially in News & Media, with a neutral to formal register. When using "prosecution", be mindful not to confuse it with "persecution". Related phrases such as "legal proceedings" and "criminal trial" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legal proceedings

Focuses on the formal legal actions taken in a case.

criminal trial

Specifically refers to the trial phase of a criminal case.

indictment process

Emphasizes the formal accusation stage.

legal action

A broader term that encompasses various types of legal cases, not just criminal.

bringing charges

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

pursuit of justice

Highlights the goal of achieving justice through legal means.

enforcement of the law

Emphasizes the implementation and application of legal statutes.

court case

A general term referring to any matter brought before a court.

disciplinary action

Refers to actions taken against someone for violating rules or regulations, not necessarily criminal.

law enforcement

Focuses on the broader system of agencies and activities involved in maintaining law and order.

FAQs

How is "prosecution" used in legal contexts?

"Prosecution" commonly refers to the act or process of conducting legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge. It can also refer to the prosecuting party.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "legal proceedings", "criminal trial", or "bringing charges".

What's the difference between "prosecution" and "persecution"?

"Prosecution" is the act of bringing someone to court for allegedly committing a crime, while "persecution" involves mistreatment or harassment, often based on discrimination or prejudice.

Can "prosecution" be used in contexts other than criminal law?

While primarily used in criminal law, "prosecution" can also refer to the carrying out or furthering of a task or endeavor, though this usage is less common. An example is "the prosecution of the war".