was accused of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was accused of' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone has been accused of committing a crime or other wrongdoing. For example: The suspect was accused of stealing from the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was accused of shoplifting.

Independent

"I was accused of plagiarism.

Independent

He was accused of espionage.

Independent

He was accused of being co-opted.

The New York Times

O'Brien was accused of punching someone.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1079 Stanislaus was accused of treason.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was accused of terrible things.

The New York Times

He was accused of faulty reasoning.

The New York Times

Lieutenant Becker was accused of the crime.

The New York Times

Mr. Gantt was accused of falsifying documents.

The New York Times

Mr. Mata was accused of standing guard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was accused of", ensure that you can cite the source of the accusation to maintain credibility and avoid spreading misinformation. Be specific about the alleged offense and avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "was accused of" without specifying what the accusation is. For instance, instead of saying "He was accused of wrongdoing", state "He was accused of fraud and embezzlement" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was accused of" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone has received accusations of wrongdoing. Ludwig's examples show it used across a range of subjects, from individuals to organizations, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was accused of" is a common and grammatically correct way to report allegations against someone, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media to neutrally convey that someone has faced accusations, without implying guilt. When employing the phrase, it's crucial to specify the exact accusation and cite sources to ensure clarity and accuracy. While it's appropriate for formal writing, avoiding vague language is essential to maintain transparency. Alternative phrases like "faced accusations of" or "was charged with" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was charged with

Indicates a formal legal charge has been filed against the person.

faced accusations of

Focuses on the act of facing accusations, implying a confrontation with the allegations.

faced allegations of

Highlights the allegations themselves, rather than the formal accusation.

was alleged to have

Emphasizes the alleged nature of the actions, indicating uncertainty or lack of proof.

stood accused of

Implies a formal setting, such as a courtroom, where the person is formally charged.

was suspected of

Suggests a lower degree of certainty, where the person is merely suspected but not formally accused.

was implicated in

Suggests involvement in a crime or wrongdoing, though not necessarily direct accusation.

was blamed for

Shifts the focus to assigning responsibility or fault, rather than formal accusation.

was identified as

Suggests identification but not proof of guilt, and doesn't necessarily indicate a crime.

was fingered for

Informal phrase suggesting someone was pointed out as the culprit.

FAQs

How do I use "was accused of" in a sentence?

Use "was accused of" to indicate that someone faced allegations. For example: "The politician "was accused of" accepting bribes."

What's the difference between "was accused of" and "was charged with"?

"Was accused of" implies allegations without formal legal charges, while "was charged with" indicates that formal charges have been filed. The phrase "was charged with" suggests a more advanced stage in the legal process.

What can I say instead of "was accused of"?

You can use alternatives like "faced allegations of", "was alleged to have", or "stood accused of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was accused of" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate, but ensure your sources are credible and that you present the information neutrally. Avoid language that suggests guilt or bias. Ensure your writing reports "faced accusations of" without assuming the correctness of these accusations.