the accused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the accused' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it can be used when you want to refer to someone who has been formally charged for a crime or offense. For example, "The accused was taken to court for trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accused and the accuser.

BBC

The accused all deny wrongdoing.

The Economist

The accused lived in neighboring villages.

The New York Times

The accused' – that sort of thing.

The Guardian

Even defending the accused is dangerous.

The Economist

"There is only one difference: the accused.

The New York Times

The accused students have pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times

The accused must have heard about this".

Independent

The accused perpetrators showed no remorse.

The New York Times - Sports

In most cases, the accused priests confessed.

The New York Times

All the accused deny any wrongdoing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or legal writing, favor "the accused" over more subjective terms like "culprit" or "perpetrator" to maintain a neutral and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid using "the accused" when you actually mean "the accuser". While "the accused" is the person facing the charges, the accuser is the individual or entity (such as the state) that is bringing the allegations against them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the accused" functions as a nominalized adjective, where the past participle of the verb 'accuse' is used as a noun. In sentences, it typically acts as the subject or direct object, as seen in various Ludwig examples where it stands in for a specific person or group. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is standard for referring to parties in legal or disciplinary proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "the accused" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used to denote individuals or groups who have been formally charged with an offense. Analysis of Ludwig data confirms its prevalence in high-authority sources like The New York Times and BBC, where it maintains a Neutral and objective tone essential for journalistic integrity. It is particularly effective because it can be used for both singular and plural subjects without modification. Writers should be careful to distinguish it from "the accuser" and use it only once formal charges are involved, preferring "the suspect" for the preceding investigation phase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the defendant

Specifically refers to the person or entity being sued or tried in a court of law.

the person charged

A more descriptive and less specialized way to identify the individual.

the alleged offender

Neutral phrasing that emphasizes the crime has not yet been proven in court.

the indictee

A formal term used specifically after a grand jury or court has issued an indictment.

the suspect

Used primarily during the investigation phase before formal charges are filed.

the respondent

The legal term for the party responding to a petition or appeal, often in civil cases.

the party charged

Shifts the focus slightly toward the legal entity or the role in the proceedings.

the perpetrator

Suggests a higher degree of certainty that the person committed the act.

the culprit

A more informal or narrative term for the person responsible for a fault or crime.

the prisoner

Focuses on the individual's state of detention rather than their legal status in a trial.

FAQs

How to use "the accused" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to refer to someone facing legal charges. For example: "the accused" pleaded not guilty to all charges brought by the prosecution.

Is "the accused" singular or plural?

It can be both. For one person, you might say "the accused" was present, and for a group, you could say "the accused" were all acquitted.

What is the difference between "the accused" and "the defendant"?

While often used interchangeably, "the accused" is a general term for someone charged with a crime, whereas "the defendant" is the specific legal designation used within the context of a trial.

Can I use "the suspect" instead of "the accused"?

It depends on the stage of the legal process. Use "the suspect" during the initial investigation, and switch to "the accused" once formal charges have been officially filed.