they were accused

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were accused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that someone has been accused of something. For example, "The suspects were accused of committing the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But they were accused of blasphemy.

Independent

They were accused of being spies.

The Guardian

They were accused because they were minorities.

The New York Times

They were accused of being tediously nostalgic.

The Guardian

They were accused of crossing the Iran-Iraq border.

The New York Times

They were accused of collaborating with the Germans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were accused of cheating, forgery and corruption.

The New York Times

They died because they were accused of being American.

The New York Times

But they said they were accused by ministers of scaremongering.

The Guardian

They were accused of committing war crimes in Kosovo.

The New York Times

They were accused of McCarthyism, smears and distorting the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were accused", clearly state the specific accusation to avoid ambiguity. Providing context strengthens your writing and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "they were accused" without specifying what they were accused of. A vague accusation lacks clarity and can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were accused" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people received accusations. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is suitable in written English to show that accusations were directed towards a specific subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were accused" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that individuals or groups faced accusations. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the expression is fully appropriate in professional writing. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias, and maintains a neutral tone. Remember to clearly specify the accusations to avoid vagueness. Alternative expressions include "charges were brought against them" and "they faced accusations of", allowing for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they faced accusations of

This alternative highlights the experience of facing accusations, shifting the focus to the individuals and their situation.

charges were brought against them

This phrase emphasizes the formal legal process of bringing charges, suggesting a more official accusation.

they stood accused of

This emphasizes their position in a formal setting, such as a court or tribunal.

allegations were made against them

This alternative focuses on the allegations themselves, rather than the act of accusing. It's a slightly more formal way of phrasing the concept.

accusations were leveled at them

Focuses on the act of making accusations public or formal.

they were suspected of

This phrase indicates a lower level of certainty than "accused", suggesting suspicion rather than a formal charge.

they were blamed for

This implies that they were held responsible or at fault, which can be a broader concept than a formal accusation.

they were implicated in

This suggests involvement in something negative, even if not directly accused.

they were pointed to as

This phrase is less direct, suggesting that they were identified as potential culprits.

the finger was pointed at them

This is an idiomatic way of saying they were blamed or accused, often used in informal contexts.

FAQs

How to use "they were accused" in a sentence?

Use "they were accused" to indicate that a group or individuals faced allegations. For example, "They were accused of fraud", or "They were accused of theft".

What can I say instead of "they were accused"?

You can use alternatives like "charges were brought against them", "they faced accusations of", or "allegations were made against them".

Is it better to say "they were accused" or "they are accused"?

The choice depends on the context and tense. "They were accused" implies the accusation happened in the past. "They are accused" suggests the accusation is current or ongoing.

What's the difference between "they were accused" and "they were suspected"?

"They were accused" implies a formal accusation, while "they were suspected" indicates a belief or hunch without concrete evidence. Suspicion is a weaker form of accusation.