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Prepositions after verbs

Prosecute for, by, or in

Prosecute is commonly followed by for to name a crime. By and in usually belong to passive structures or legal context phrases rather than fixed combinations.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after prosecute?

Use prosecute for to state the offence. Prosecute in may refer to the court or jurisdiction where a case happens. Prosecute by is not a standard active combination, though by is common in passive sentences such as prosecuted by the state.

He was prosecuted for fraud.
The case was prosecuted in federal court.
The company was prosecuted by local authorities.
Several officials were prosecuted for corruption.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
prosecute for + offence

Naming the crime or charge

For introduces the offence in legal contexts.

She was prosecuted for tax evasion.
They prosecuted him for insider trading.
2
prosecute in + court or jurisdiction

Showing where the case takes place

In refers to the court, country, or legal system handling the case.

The matter was prosecuted in state court.
He was prosecuted in France.
3
prosecuted by + authority

Showing who brings the case

By commonly appears in passive sentences to identify the prosecuting authority.

The suspects were prosecuted by federal lawyers.
The case was prosecuted by the attorney general.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
prosecute for
The executive was prosecuted for bribery.
states the offence or charge
prosecute by
The company was prosecuted by regulators.
By introduces the prosecutor in a passive structure
prosecute in
The case was prosecuted in a military court.
shows the legal venue or jurisdiction

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by for the offence

Use for before the crime or accusation.

✕ He was prosecuted by fraud. ✓ He was prosecuted for fraud.

Using prosecute by in active voice

By is normally used in passive structures.

✕ The state prosecuted by the company. ✓ The state prosecuted the company.

Confusing in with for

In refers to location or jurisdiction, not the charge.

✕ She was prosecuted in tax evasion. ✓ She was prosecuted for tax evasion.

Omitting the court preposition

Use in before the court or country.

✕ The case was prosecuted federal court. ✓ The case was prosecuted in federal court.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The official was prosecuted ___ corruption.
2. The case was prosecuted ___ the national court.
3. The suspects were prosecuted ___ state authorities.

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Frequently asked questions

Is prosecute for the most common pattern?

Yes. Prosecute for is the standard way to name the alleged crime.

Can prosecute in be used?

Yes. It is used for the court, country, or jurisdiction handling the prosecution.

Why does by often appear with prosecuted?

Because many legal sentences use passive voice, and by introduces the authority bringing the case.

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