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Lawn2llawn2 Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary
Allege or accuse?
Hi all, I have a question about the differencec between allege and accuse. What are really the differences between them?
Can I say " he alleged me stealing his money"? or "he accused me of stealing his money"?
Thank you.
Liya
Can I say " he alleged me stealing his money"? or "he accused me of stealing his money"?
Thank you.
Liya
Top answer
Hi, Generally speaking, the main difference is the level of emotion involved. eg He alleged that I stole his money. Sounds like a calm statement.
- Hi, Generally speaking, the main difference is the level of emotion involved.
- eg He alleged that I stole his money.
- Sounds like a calm statement.
- eg He accused me of stealing his money.
- Sounds like an angry and forceful statement.
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5 Answers
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Hi,
Generally speaking, the main difference is the level of emotion involved.
eg He alleged that I stole his money. Sounds like a calm statement.
eg He accused me of stealing his money. Sounds like an angry and forceful st
Generally speaking, the main difference is the level of emotion involved.
eg He alleged that I stole his money. Sounds like a calm statement.
eg He accused me of stealing his money. Sounds like an angry and forceful st
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The difference between allege and accuse is primarily legal in nature.
"Allege" means to claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case.
"Accuse" means to charge (someone) with an offense or crime.
"Allege" means to claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case.
"Accuse" means to charge (someone) with an offense or crime.
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Hi John,
I don't disagree with you.
But in Canada, after eg a person is charged with murder and before the trial's outcome, he is always referred to as 'the alleged murderer'.
Clive
I don't disagree with you.
But in Canada, after eg a person is charged with murder and before the trial's outcome, he is always referred to as 'the alleged murderer'.
Clive
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Hi Clive - you're absolutely correct.
I believe it's the same in the US and in France. But there is an intermediary step in which the district attorney (or equivalent) formally accuses the alleged murderer with a crime. He remains innocent until proven guilty but the accusation is a formal charge (actually, I think it's called a writ). I am not an attorney and I think I'm getting in above my h
I believe it's the same in the US and in France. But there is an intermediary step in which the district attorney (or equivalent) formally accuses the alleged murderer with a crime. He remains innocent until proven guilty but the accusation is a formal charge (actually, I think it's called a writ). I am not an attorney and I think I'm getting in above my h
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Also, the two verbs require different grammatical structures.
You accuse someone of (doing) something.
You allege that someone has done something.
So
"he alleged that I stole his money."
Also, "alleged" is a fairly formal term, more often used in a legal context
You accuse someone of (doing) something.
You allege that someone has done something.
So
lawn2llawn2he alleged me stealing his moneyshould be
"he alleged that I stole his money."
Also, "alleged" is a fairly formal term, more often used in a legal context
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