allege + noun/clause
State an accusation
Allege commonly takes a direct object or a that-clause without a preposition.
Prosecutors alleged financial misconduct
allege in, by, during, at or against?
Allege is usually followed by a clause or noun phrase without a preposition. Against is common when accusations target someone.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with allege?
Allege often takes no preposition: They alleged fraud. Use allege against when referring to accusations directed at a person or organisation. In, by, during, and at usually introduce separate details such as place, method, or time.
The report alleged fraud against several officials
Witnesses alleged that the records were altered
Misconduct was alleged during the investigation
Witnesses alleged that the records were altered
Misconduct was alleged during the investigation
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
allege something against + person/group
Direct an accusation at someone
Against identifies the target of the allegation.
Several complaints were alleged against the contractor
allege + event during + time
Add time information
During introduces the period when the alleged action happened.
The misconduct was alleged during the audit
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
allege in
The issue was discussed in court.
In usually introduces place or context, not a fixed complement after allege.
allege by
The claim was supported by witnesses.
By may introduce an agent in passive structures, not a standard complement after allege.
allege during
Irregularities were alleged during the inquiry.
During adds time context.
allege at
She spoke at the hearing.
At usually introduces location or event, not a fixed pattern after allege.
allege against
The newspaper alleged corruption against the official.
Against can identify the target of an accusation, though accuse someone of is often more natural.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Adding unnecessary prepositions after allege
Allege usually takes a direct object or clause.
✕ They alleged about corruption. ✓ They alleged corruption.Using in as the main complement
In is not normally used directly after allege.
✕ The lawyer alleged in fraud. ✓ The lawyer alleged fraud.Confusing allege with accuse
Accuse is more naturally followed by against or of in many contexts.
✕ They alleged him of theft. ✓ They accused him of theft.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The journalists alleged ___ in the department.
2. Several complaints were alleged ___ the company.
3. Misconduct was alleged ___ the negotiations.
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Frequently asked questions
Does allege usually need a preposition?
No. It commonly takes a direct object or a clause.
When is against used with allege?
Against can identify the person or organisation targeted by an allegation.
Are allege in and allege at standard combinations?
No. In and at usually add separate context such as place or event.
Related preposition guides
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