would be prosecuted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be prosecuted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential legal consequences for an action or behavior that may lead to criminal charges. Example: "If the evidence is sufficient, the suspect would be prosecuted for the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In December 2013, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that he would be prosecuted for possessing the material.

Wikipedia

In real life, he would be prosecuted".

The New Yorker

Those who ignored the warning, he said, would be prosecuted.

The New York Times

Mr Harper said anyone responsible would be prosecuted.

The Economist

Some would be prosecuted — if "feasible" — in criminal courts.

The New York Times

I never thought I would be prosecuted for it.

The New York Times

But then he said that they would be prosecuted.

The New York Times

However, Brodie doubted that any officers would be prosecuted.

The Guardian

There was no word on whether any of the protesters were arrested or would be prosecuted.

The New York Times

"We are sure such a person would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The New York Times

Whether the 16 had been arrested and would be prosecuted was not immediately clear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be prosecuted" when indicating a potential future legal action as a direct consequence of a specific action or event. Ensure that the context clearly defines the action that would lead to prosecution.

Common error

Avoid using "would be prosecuted" when referring to past events. Use "was prosecuted" or "were prosecuted" instead to indicate that legal action has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

"Would be prosecuted" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a potential future action performed on the subject. Ludwig examples show its use in describing potential legal consequences. This construction combines the modal verb 'would' with the passive voice 'be prosecuted', expressing a conditional or hypothetical outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be prosecuted" is a common and grammatically correct modal passive construction used to indicate the potential for future legal action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "could face prosecution" and "might be charged". To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly defines the action leading to potential prosecution and avoid using it for past events. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can accurately and effectively convey the likelihood of legal consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could face prosecution

Suggests a possibility of prosecution, similar to "would be prosecuted" but less definite.

might be charged

Indicates a possibility of formal accusation, similar to facing prosecution.

could be indicted

Refers to the formal process of being charged with a crime by a grand jury.

may be brought to justice

Emphasizes the idea of facing legal consequences, focusing on the concept of justice.

could be held accountable

Highlights the responsibility for one's actions and the potential for facing consequences.

might have to answer for

Suggests that someone will be called upon to explain or justify their actions.

could be subject to legal proceedings

A formal way of saying someone might face legal action.

may be liable to prosecution

Emphasizes legal responsibility and the potential for prosecution.

might be taken to court

A more direct and informal way of saying someone could face legal action.

could be answerable in court

Highlights the need to defend one's actions in a legal setting.

FAQs

How can I use "would be prosecuted" in a sentence?

Use "would be prosecuted" to indicate a potential future legal consequence. For example, "If he commits the crime, he "would be prosecuted" to the full extent of the law."

What are some alternatives to "would be prosecuted"?

Alternatives include "could face prosecution", "might be charged", or "could be indicted", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "will be prosecuted" instead of "would be prosecuted"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "will be prosecuted" implies a higher degree of certainty, while "would be prosecuted" suggests a conditional or hypothetical scenario. Use "will" when the prosecution is highly likely and "would" when it depends on certain conditions.

What's the difference between "prosecuted" and "persecuted"?

"Prosecuted" refers to the legal process of bringing charges against someone for a crime. "Persecuted", on the other hand, means to be subjected to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, political, or religious beliefs. They have completely different meanings and should not be confused.