indict for + crime
Naming the offence
Use for to state the crime or wrongdoing.
They were indicted for bribery.
He was indicted for conspiracy last year.
Indict for or on?
The verb "indict" is usually followed by for to name the crime. On or upon can introduce charges or counts in formal legal English. Other combinations are uncommon or incorrect as direct complements.
Quick answer
Most common patterns with indict
Use indict for + crime to state the offence. In legal contexts, indict on or indict upon can introduce charges or counts. By usually introduces the authority or method separately, not a fixed verb pattern. In is uncommon directly after indict.
The executive was indicted for fraud.
She was indicted on three counts of tax evasion.
The suspect was indicted upon evidence presented to the grand jury.
She was indicted on three counts of tax evasion.
The suspect was indicted upon evidence presented to the grand jury.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
indict on + charge/count
Referring to formal charges
On is used in legal English with counts or charges.
The company was indicted on multiple charges.
She was indicted on one count of fraud.
indict upon + evidence/charges
Very formal legal wording
Upon appears in formal or older legal style.
The defendant was indicted upon the testimony of two witnesses.
indict by + authority
Naming the indicting body
By can introduce the authority responsible for the indictment. It is not the main complement selected by indict.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in June.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
indict for
The official was indicted for corruption.
States the alleged crime.
indict on
She was indicted on two counts of theft.
Introduces formal charges or counts.
indict upon
The suspect was indicted upon witness testimony.
Very formal legal phrasing referring to the basis of the indictment.
indict by
The mayor was indicted by a state grand jury.
By introduces the authority, not the offence.
indict in
The phrase "indict in fraud" is not standard English.
In is generally not used directly after indict to name a crime or charge.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using in after indict
Use for to name the crime.
✕ He was indicted in bribery. ✓ He was indicted for bribery.Confusing on and for
For names the offence; on usually refers to counts or charges.
✕ She was indicted on fraud. ✓ She was indicted for fraud.Using by for the offence
By introduces the authority or means, not the crime.
✕ They were indicted by tax evasion. ✓ They were indicted for tax evasion.Overusing upon in everyday English
Upon sounds very formal in modern English.
✓ The company was indicted on several charges.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The businessman was indicted ___ fraud.
2. She was indicted ___ two counts of embezzlement.
3. The senator was indicted ___ a federal grand jury.
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
Is indict for the most common pattern?
Yes. Indict for + crime is the standard way to name an alleged offence.
Can I say indict on charges?
Yes. Legal English often uses indict on charges or on counts.
Is indict upon still used?
Yes, but mainly in formal or traditional legal writing.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
