How Do You Spell PROSECUTE?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɒsɪkjˌuːt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "prosecute" is a prime example of the inconsistencies in English orthography. The word is spelled with a silent "c" and pronounced /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/. The "c" in this word comes from the Latin root "prosequi", which means "to follow" and is pronounced with a hard "k" sound. However, over time, the spelling of the word has evolved to include a silent "c". This makes the spelling of "prosecute" difficult for many learners of English as a second language to master.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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PROSECUTE Meaning and Definition

  1. Prosecute is a transitive verb that denotes the act of bringing a legal action against someone in a court of law, with the intention of holding them accountable for a crime committed or a wrongdoing. It involves initiating and conducting legal proceedings against an individual or organization deemed to have violated the law. When an individual is prosecuted, they are formally charged with an offense and subjected to legal processes to determine their guilt or innocence.

    The act of prosecuting typically includes gathering and presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and making arguments in order to establish the culpability of the accused. Prosecution is primarily initiated by government authorities such as district attorneys or other legal representatives, and the responsibility lies with them to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The term "prosecute" can also be utilized to describe actions taken by an individual or entity to pursue legal action or seek redress. For instance, one may choose to prosecute a civil case to recover damages or enforce their rights. Prosecution does not solely pertain to criminal cases but can encompass various legal proceedings aimed at enforcing and upholding the law, ensuring justice is served, and safeguarding the interests of individuals or society at large.

  2. To follow or pursue after for a purpose; to persist in or continue, as efforts already begun; to seek to obtain by legal process; to sue criminally; to carry on a legal prosecution.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PROSECUTE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PROSECUTE

Etymology of PROSECUTE

The word prosecute originated from the Latin word prosecutus, which is the past participle of the verb prosequi. Prosequi combines the prefix pro, meaning forward or toward, with sequi, meaning to follow. Hence, the literal meaning of prosecute is to follow forward. This etymology reflects the original sense of the word, which referred to the act of pursuing legal action against someone, particularly in a court of law. Over time, prosecute evolved to encompass the broader meaning of to bring to trial or to take legal action against.

Similar spelling words for PROSECUTE

Conjugate verb Prosecute

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have prosecuted
you would have prosecuted
he/she/it would have prosecuted
we would have prosecuted
they would have prosecuted
I would have prosecute
you would have prosecute
he/she/it would have prosecute
we would have prosecute
they would have prosecute

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been prosecuting
you would have been prosecuting
he/she/it would have been prosecuting
we would have been prosecuting
they would have been prosecuting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would prosecute
you would prosecute
he/she/it would prosecute
we would prosecute
they would prosecute

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be prosecuting
you would be prosecuting
he/she/it would be prosecuting
we would be prosecuting
they would be prosecuting

FUTURE

I will prosecute
you will prosecute
he/she/it will prosecute
we will prosecute
they will prosecute

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be prosecuting
you will be prosecuting
he/she/it will be prosecuting
we will be prosecuting
they will be prosecuting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have prosecuted
you will have prosecuted
he/she/it will have prosecuted
we will have prosecuted
they will have prosecuted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been prosecuting
you will have been prosecuting
he/she/it will have been prosecuting
we will have been prosecuting
they will have been prosecuting

IMPERATIVE

you prosecute
we let´s prosecute

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to prosecute

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was prosecuting
you were prosecuting
he/she/it was prosecuting
we were prosecuting
they were prosecuting

PAST PARTICIPLE

prosecuted

PAST PERFECT

I had prosecuted
you had prosecuted
he/she/it had prosecuted
we had prosecuted
they had prosecuted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been prosecuting
you had been prosecuting
he/she/it had been prosecuting
we had been prosecuting
they had been prosecuting

PRESENT

I prosecute
you prosecute
he/she/it prosecutes
we prosecute
they prosecute

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am prosecuting
you are prosecuting
he/she/it is prosecuting
we are prosecuting
they are prosecuting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

prosecuting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have prosecuted
you have prosecuted
he/she/it has prosecuted
we have prosecuted
they have prosecuted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been prosecuting
you have been prosecuting
he/she/it has been prosecuting
we have been prosecuting
they have been prosecuting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it prosecute

SIMPLE PAST

I prosecuted
you prosecuted
he/she/it prosecuted
we prosecuted
they prosecuted

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Correct spelling for prosecute
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