was indicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was indicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has been formally charged with a crime by a grand jury. Example: "The former mayor was indicted on charges of corruption and bribery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he was indicted.

The New York Times

Eventually, Clemens was indicted.

The New York Times - Sports

Heinel was indicted.

The New York Times - Arts

Sudan's president was indicted.

The Washington Post

Neither was indicted.

The New York Times

Mr Chalmers was indicted in April.

The Economist

Mr. Sterling was indicted in January.

The New York Times

Darrow was indicted and tried, twice.

The New Yorker

Mr. Zazi was indicted on Sept 24.

The New York Times

On Thursday, Mr. Wallace was indicted again.

The New York Times

Ms. Upham was indicted in April.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was indicted" when you want to specify that a grand jury has formally accused someone of a crime. It implies a legal procedure has been initiated.

Common error

Avoid using "was indicted" when you mean "was convicted". Indictment is merely the formal accusation, while conviction means the person has been found guilty.

Linguistic Context

"Was indicted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being formally accused of a crime. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, which highlights its grammatical correctness and frequent use in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was indicted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction that signifies the formal accusation of someone for a crime by a grand jury. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is primarily found in legal contexts, particularly within news and media reporting, as well as academic discussions. Understanding its proper usage is crucial to avoid confusion with similar terms like "was convicted". Alternatives such as "faced charges" or "was charged with" offer slightly different nuances. When writing, remember that "was indicted" signals a legal process has begun, not that guilt has been established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced indictment

Highlights the imminence or actuality of the indictment process.

was formally charged

Stresses the official act of leveling charges.

was charged with

Focuses on the specific accusations brought against someone.

was formally accused of

Highlights the official nature of the accusation.

faced charges

Emphasizes the confrontation with legal accusations.

stood accused of

Indicates the person is in a state of being accused.

was prosecuted for

Focuses on the legal process initiated against the person.

was arraigned on

Refers to the initial court appearance where charges are presented.

was booked on

Highlights the act of formally recording the charges by law enforcement.

was held to answer

Implies a legal obligation to respond to accusations.

FAQs

How to use "was indicted" in a sentence?

Use "was indicted" to indicate that a grand jury has issued a formal accusation of criminal wrongdoing against someone. For example, "The former CEO "was indicted on charges of" fraud and embezzlement".

What can I say instead of "was indicted"?

You can use alternatives like "faced charges", "was charged with", or "was formally accused of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "was indicted" or "was convicted"?

"Was indicted" means someone has been formally accused of a crime, while "was convicted" means they have been found guilty in a court of law. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "was indicted" and "was arrested"?

"Was arrested" means someone has been taken into police custody. "Was indicted" means a grand jury has formally accused them of a crime, which can happen before or after an arrest. "Arrest" focuses on custody, while indictment focuses on formal accusation.