to be criminalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be criminalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions, behaviors, or substances that are being made illegal or subject to criminal penalties. Example: "The government is considering new legislation that would cause certain activities to be criminalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

This natural response to this example points us towards one common way of identifying the kinds of wrong that do properly concern the criminal law the idea that conduct which is to be criminalized ought to constitute a 'public', rather than a merely 'private', wrong.

SEP

"We will not allow our young people to be criminalized anymore," she said.

The New York Times

Allowing journalism to be criminalized is in nobody's interest other than the states which are trying to achieve that.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The legal uncertainty could discourage business and social initiatives; no one wants to be criminalized because of what they host online," he said.

The New York Times

Not only do states disagree about who should be prosecuted, they also differ over how to define the content to be criminalized.

The New York Times

"It signals taking the issue seriously, that harms are serious enough to be criminalized," said Danielle Citron, a law professor at the University of Maryland.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"These aspiring Americans should not be criminalized, subjected to dehumanizing solitary confinement or indefinitely detained," Carmona said.

Los Angeles Times

In the early twentieth century, the primary legal test used in the United States to determine if speech could be criminalized was the bad tendency test.

Wikipedia

"These aspiring Americans should not be criminalized, subjected to dehumanizing solitary confinement or indefinitely detained," Sanders Latinooutreachch director, Arturo Carmona, said at the time.

Huffington Post

"Potentially abortion will be criminalized.

The New York Times

People should not be criminalized for poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be criminalized" to maintain a neutral and objective tone, especially in legal or journalistic contexts. It avoids subjective language and ensures that the focus remains on the legal process rather than personal opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "to be criminalized" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like “to become illegal” or “to be against the law” to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be criminalized" functions as an infinitive passive verb phrase. This grammatical structure describes the action of something becoming illegal or being made subject to criminal penalties. Ludwig AI shows it is used in contexts where legal and ethical implications are discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be criminalized" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive passive verb phrase that describes the process of making something illegal. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting its use in discussing legal and ethical issues with neutrality. This phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. When writing, be precise in denoting the process of making something illegal through formal legal channels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be made a crime

Simplifies the phrasing to focus on the consequence of being criminalized.

to become illegal

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct active construction, focusing on the action of becoming illegal.

to be outlawed

Uses a synonym for "criminalized" to indicate the action of making something illegal.

to be prohibited by law

Specifies the means by which something is criminalized, emphasizing the legal aspect.

to be declared illegal

Highlights the act of formally announcing something as illegal.

to be subject to prosecution

Focuses on the legal consequences that follow the act of being criminalized.

to face criminal charges

Highlights the potential legal repercussions of certain actions.

to be penalized under the law

Emphasizes the punitive aspect of criminalization.

to be against the law

States that an action conflicts with existing laws.

to be legally actionable

Highlights the fact that legal action can be taken due to the criminalization.

FAQs

How can I use "to be criminalized" in a sentence?

Use "to be criminalized" to describe the action of making something illegal or subject to criminal penalties. For example, "The act is likely "to be criminalized" if it poses a significant threat to public safety".

What are some alternatives to "to be criminalized"?

You can use alternatives such as "to become illegal", "to be outlawed", or "to be prohibited by law" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to be criminalized"?

Yes, "to be criminalized" is grammatically correct and commonly used in legal and formal contexts to describe the act of making something illegal.

What is the difference between "to be criminalized" and "to be illegal"?

"To be criminalized" refers to the process of making something illegal, whereas "to be illegal" describes the state of already being against the law. The first is a process; the second, a condition.