Meaning & use
alleged accusation
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Meaning
phrasecountableformallegal
A claim that someone has done something wrong, which has been stated but not yet proved.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an alleged accusation' or 'alleged accusations'. 'Alleged' says the accusation is unproven, not that it is false.
Patterns
- an alleged accusation of something
- an alleged accusation against someone
- make an alleged accusation
- deny an alleged accusation
The report contained an alleged accusation of fraud, which the company strongly denied.
She refused to answer questions about the alleged accusation until her lawyer arrived.
Word forms
| plural | alleged accusations |
|---|
Common combinations
- deny an alleged accusation
- The manager denied the alleged accusation and asked for an internal review.
- an alleged accusation of fraud
- An alleged accusation of fraud can damage a business even before any trial.
- face an alleged accusation
- He faced an alleged accusation of cheating in the exam.
- investigate an alleged accusation
- The committee will investigate the alleged accusation against the official.
Synonyms and how they differ
- allegation
- Allegation is the usual noun for an unproven claim of wrongdoing; 'alleged accusation' is more redundant and wordy, so prefer allegation in most writing.
- charge
- Charge is a formal accusation made by police or a court; it is stronger and more official than an alleged accusation.
- claim
- Claim is a general word for saying something is true; it does not necessarily involve wrongdoing.
Word family
- allege verb
- To state that something is true or that someone did something wrong, without proof.
- allegedly adverb
- According to what people say but without proof.
- allegation noun
- An unproven claim that someone has done something wrong.
- accuse verb
- To say that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
- accused noun
- The person in a court case who is said to have committed a crime.
Commonly confused: alleged accusation or alleged? alleged accusation or accusation?
alleged accusation vs alleged
Alleged is an adjective meaning 'stated but not proved'; it must come before a noun, as in 'the alleged thief'. It is not a noun, so you cannot say 'the alleged was arrested'.
alleged accusation vs accusation
Accusation alone can suggest the claim is being treated as true; adding 'alleged' makes clear that it is still unproven.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'alleged accusation' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Alleged' is an adjective and comes before 'accusation', giving 'the alleged accusation of theft'. The other options put the words in the wrong order or use 'alleged' where a noun or verb is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alleged accusation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.