prosecutions were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prosecutions were made" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "prosecutions were initiated" or "prosecutions were conducted." Example: "After the investigation, several prosecutions were initiated against the suspects."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It added that the decisions over whether to bring prosecutions were made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Independent

I pushed hard to clear out children's service managers who'd looked the other way and repeatedly challenged the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police until more prosecutions were made.

Independent

In the same period, it said that 13 prosecutions were made against waste offenders.

BBC

Yet despite reports of ominous sounding letters, no prosecutions were made.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Until prosecutions are made and protection is guaranteed, this deadly spiral of violence will continue unabated".

The Guardian

Asked whether the White House had a role in the leak cases, a spokesman for the National Security Council, Tommy Vietor, said, "Decisions about leak prosecutions are made by the Department of Justice".

The New York Times

In Germany, prosecutions are made under holocaust denial laws some 65 years after the events, without any suggestion that this constitutes denial of human rights.

The Guardian

The announcement, by Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, was made after 392 current and former legislators were ordered Thursday to repay the equivalent of $1.7 million, a small amount by the standards of, say, bankers' bonuses, but enough to add to the continuing embarrassment for Parliament.

The New York Times

We can't find any records of prosecutions being made against any of the people raided.

TechCrunch

Where prosecutions are made, this is largely because the family have benefitted from quality legal representation, in combination with expert examination of evidence.

Vice

The referrals for possible prosecution were made late last month to attorneys general in 46 states by the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and formality, especially in legal or professional contexts, prefer alternatives like "prosecutions were initiated" or "prosecutions were launched" over "prosecutions were made".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "prosecutions were made" in formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "initiated", "launched", or "brought" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prosecutions were made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that legal actions were carried out. It's a way to report on the occurrence of prosecutions. While Ludwig AI suggests it's not the most grammatically correct choice, the examples show its presence in news reporting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prosecutions were made" is used to report on legal actions, but it's considered less grammatically sound than alternatives like "prosecutions were initiated" or "cases were prosecuted". Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is not a standard written English. The phrase appears primarily in news media, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. For formal writing, it's advisable to choose stronger verbs and more precise language to maintain clarity and professionalism. While understood, consider alternatives to enhance the impact and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prosecutions were initiated

This alternative emphasizes the beginning or commencement of the legal process.

prosecutions were launched

Similar to 'initiated', this suggests a formal beginning of legal action.

prosecutions were brought

This highlights the act of presenting a case before a court.

legal proceedings were undertaken

A more formal and comprehensive way of describing legal actions.

cases were prosecuted

This version focuses on the cases themselves being the subject of prosecution.

charges were filed

This refers to the specific accusations being formally presented.

trials were conducted

This highlights the actual court hearings that took place.

defendants were prosecuted

This focuses on the individuals who faced legal action.

convictions were secured

This emphasizes successful outcomes of prosecutions.

actions were litigated

A more general term encompassing any legal action brought before a court.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "prosecutions were made"?

Consider using phrases like "prosecutions were initiated", "prosecutions were launched", or "cases were prosecuted" for more formal and precise language.

Is "prosecutions were made" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "prosecutions were made" is sometimes used, it is not considered the most grammatically sound option. More precise alternatives like "prosecutions were initiated" are generally preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "prosecutions were made"?

The phrase "prosecutions were made" might be acceptable in informal contexts or news reporting, but it's advisable to use stronger alternatives in formal or legal writing.

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using the phrase "prosecutions were made"?

Replacing "prosecutions were made" with phrases like "prosecutions were brought" or "legal proceedings were undertaken" can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.