was prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

"was prosecuted" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to describe a past action of someone being officially charged with a crime and taken to court. Example: The accused was prosecuted for embezzlement and sentenced to five years in prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one was prosecuted.

Independent

But no one was prosecuted.

The New York Times

Neither suspect was prosecuted.

The Guardian

For that, he was prosecuted again.

The New York Times

No officer was prosecuted in the case.

The New York Times

No leading executive was prosecuted.

The New Yorker

Mr. Padilla was prosecuted as a juvenile.

The New York Times

No one was prosecuted in the episode.

The New York Times

He opened it anyway, and was prosecuted.

The New Yorker

Gaskill was prosecuted during the ensuing controversy.

The Guardian

Several years later, Wick was prosecuted for tax delinquency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was prosecuted", ensure you clearly indicate the specific charge or crime for which the individual was prosecuted. This provides clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was prosecuted" with a plural subject. The correct form for a plural subject is "were prosecuted". For example, use "the defendants were prosecuted", not "the defendants was prosecuted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was prosecuted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being prosecuted. It is typically used to describe a past legal action against someone, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was prosecuted" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase commonly used to indicate that someone has faced legal charges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction in written English. It's frequently encountered in news and media, encyclopedias, and legal contexts, carrying a neutral tone. To use it effectively, ensure subject-verb agreement and provide clear context regarding the charges. Alternatives include "was charged" or "faced legal action". Steer clear of using this phrase with plural subject. With authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently using the phrase, it's clear that understanding its proper application is crucial for formal and factual writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was charged

Emphasizes the formal accusation of a crime.

faced legal action

Focuses on the commencement of legal proceedings without specifying the outcome.

was tried

Focuses on the act of undergoing a legal trial.

stood trial

Highlights the trial aspect of the legal process.

was indicted

Specifies the formal accusation by a grand jury.

was taken to court

Describes the action of being brought before a court of law.

was subject to legal proceedings

A more formal way of saying someone faced legal action.

was brought to justice

Highlights the aim of achieving justice through legal processes.

was arraigned

Specifies the initial court appearance where charges are formally presented.

was sued

Focuses on civil rather than criminal legal action.

FAQs

How is "was prosecuted" used in a sentence?

"Was prosecuted" indicates that someone faced legal charges in the past. For example, "He "was prosecuted" for fraud" shows he faced legal action for that crime.

What are some alternatives to "was prosecuted"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "was charged", "stood trial", or "faced legal action".

Is it correct to say "was prosecuted" or "were prosecuted"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was prosecuted" for singular subjects (e.g., "He "was prosecuted"") and "were prosecuted" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "were prosecuted"").

What's the difference between "was prosecuted" and "was investigated"?

"Was investigated" means someone was subject to an inquiry, while ""was prosecuted"" means they were formally charged with a crime and taken to court. Investigation precedes prosecution.