serious prosecution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious prosecution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to a prosecution that is significant or severe in nature. Example: "The defendant faced serious prosecution for the charges of fraud and embezzlement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is the first serious prosecution of senior politicians accused of corruption in modern Kenyan history.

The Economist

Mr. Gair, Mrs. Diallo's lawyer, said there were several serious prosecution mistakes that could meet that Justice Department requirement.

The New York Times

"While many 19-year-old kids are facing prosecution for unlawful dowloading of music, this 19-year-old is facing a far more serious prosecution," he said.

The New York Times

Evidence of innocence is rarely black and white but it is surely relevant to note the many convictions quashed after revelations of distorted forensic evidence (Sally Clark and Barry George being two of the best-known cases); grossly unreliable witnesses (including some harrowing cases of wrongful convictions for sexual offences); and serious prosecution non-disclosure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bennett says his work was in the best interest of a company facing serious prosecution.

Forbes

A very powerful aristocrat, the Duc de Rohan, accused Voltaire of defamation, and in the face of this charge the untitled writer chose to save face and avoid more serious prosecution by leaving the country indefinitely.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The need for some serious prosecutions and jail time for people evading tax.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Chief among them must be a real effort to stop the brutality of the security services, beginning with serious prosecutions of kidnappers and murderers.

The Economist

Take another example: in Vietnam, the effect of the chemical Agent Orange used by Washington during the war continues to deform children, yet there has never been any serious prosecutions for the horrific crimes committed in the name of "fighting communism".

The Guardian - Opinion

He writes, "The warning is unflinching: If you continue to engage in firearm violence, you will face serious, uncompromising prosecution.

The New Yorker

Kolesnikov and his defense team immediately understood that Viktoria, who had passed him the sneakers, was now under threat of serious legal prosecution.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious prosecution" when you want to emphasize the gravity and potential consequences of a legal action against someone.

Common error

Avoid using "serious prosecution" for minor offenses or trivial matters. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant legal and ethical breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious prosecution" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "prosecution". This phrase describes the gravity or intensity of the legal proceedings. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious prosecution" is a grammatically sound term used to denote a legal action of significant consequence. Ludwig confirms its correct and appropriate application, particularly in news, scientific, and general contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, the phrase effectively conveys the gravity of the legal proceedings. Alternatives like "vigorous prosecution" or "stringent prosecution" can be employed to emphasize different aspects of the prosecution, depending on the intended message. Reserve its use for situations with substantial legal and ethical ramifications to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vigorous prosecution

Replaces "serious" with "vigorous", emphasizing the intensity and energy of the prosecution.

stringent prosecution

Substitutes "serious" with "stringent", highlighting the strictness and severity of the legal action.

rigorous prosecution

Replaces "serious" with "rigorous", focusing on the thoroughness and precision of the legal process.

major prosecution

Uses "major" instead of "serious" to denote the significance and scale of the legal case.

significant prosecution

Employs "significant" to highlight the importance and potential impact of the prosecution.

substantial prosecution

Replaces "serious" with "substantial", underscoring the magnitude and weight of the prosecution.

intense prosecution

Substitutes "serious" with "intense", stressing the high level of focus and effort in the prosecution.

aggressive prosecution

Replaces "serious" with "aggressive", indicating a proactive and forceful approach in pursuing the case.

high-profile prosecution

Adds "high-profile" to indicate the prosecution has garnered public attention.

federal prosecution

Specifies the level of government involved in the prosecution, implying seriousness due to federal involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "serious prosecution" in a sentence?

You can use "serious prosecution" to describe a legal action that carries significant consequences. For instance, "The defendant is facing "serious prosecution" for fraud and embezzlement".

What are some alternatives to "serious prosecution"?

Alternatives include "vigorous prosecution", "stringent prosecution", or "rigorous prosecution", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "serious prosecution" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "serious prosecution" is more suitable for formal or professional settings due to its legal and consequential implications.

What distinguishes "serious prosecution" from a typical prosecution?

A "serious prosecution" implies that the legal charges are significant, potentially leading to severe penalties, and often involves high-profile or complex cases.