prosecute

/ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt/ (ame, mw)

prosecute — verb

  • prosecutepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • prosecuteshe / she / it
  • prosecutedpast simple
  • prosecuting-ing form

1. when a state lawyer brings a criminal case against someone, presenting evidence

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when a state lawyer brings a criminal case against someone, presenting evidence before a judge to show that the accused person is guilty of breaking the law

例句

The government decided to prosecute the company for dumping waste in the river.

prosecute + [organisation] + for + crime/offence

Zayd was prosecuted for fraud and sentenced to four years in prison.

passive: be prosecuted for [crime]

同義詞
  • charge

    the first formal step — telling someone which crime they are accused of; narrower than 'prosecute'

  • indict

    used when a grand jury formally decides to charge someone with a serious crime; more specific and formal

  • sue

    used for civil cases (disagreements over money, property, etc.), not criminal; brought by individuals or companies, not the state

反義詞
  • acquit

    the court finds the accused not guilty — opposite outcome of a prosecution

  • defend

    the role of the lawyer on the other side in court

文法句型

prosecute + person/organisation + for + crime

be + prosecuted + for + crime

prosecute + a case

用法筆記

Common patterns: 'prosecute someone for something' and passive 'be prosecuted for something.' Note that 'prosecute' is used for criminal cases brought by the state, not for civil disputes — for civil cases, the correct verb is 'sue.' A person cannot 'prosecute' someone directly; only the state (a prosecutor) can.

常見錯誤

❌I will prosecute you if you don't pay back the money.
✅I will sue you if you don't pay back the money.
💡'Prosecute' is for criminal cases brought by the state; 'sue' is for civil disputes between individuals or companies.
❌The police prosecuted him for stealing a car.
✅The police arrested him, and he was prosecuted for stealing a car.
💡The police arrest and charge; the prosecutor (state lawyer) prosecutes in court.

2. to continue carrying out a planned series of actions, such as a military campaig

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to continue carrying out a planned series of actions, such as a military campaign or a formal investigation, until it is completed

例句

The general vowed to prosecute the war until the enemy agreed to surrender.

prosecute a war (formal, military context)

Ignacio's unit continued to prosecute the investigation even after the lead detective retired.

prosecute an investigation

同義詞
  • pursue

    wider in scope — can be any goal or activity, not necessarily planned or large-scale; less formal

  • wage

    narrower — used almost exclusively for war or conflict (e.g. 'wage war')

  • conduct

    similar level of formality, but slightly wider in usage (e.g. 'conduct a meeting,' 'conduct research')

  • carry out

    less formal and much more common in everyday English; a good general substitute

反義詞
  • abandon

    to stop a planned activity before it is finished

  • discontinue

    formal term for stopping an activity or process

文法句型

prosecute + a war / campaign / investigation / inquiry

用法筆記

Frequently used in official contexts such as government statements, military reports, and formal business language. The object is always a large-scale, planned activity (war, campaign, investigation, inquiry, search). This sense is not used for everyday tasks or casual activities.

常見錯誤

❌The team prosecuted the project on schedule.
✅The team carried out the project on schedule.
💡'Prosecute' in this sense is too formal for ordinary project work; use 'carry out,' 'conduct,' or 'run.'