Understanding Accuse in English: Mastering Usage with Prepositions and Verb Forms

The verb "Accuse" appears frequently throughout English vocabulary, yet many learners find its usage challenging. Understanding how to properly employ this verb with its corresponding preposition becomes essential for effective communication. This comprehensive guide explores the definition, usage patterns, and practical applications of Accuse in English.

I. What is Accuse in English?

Establishing a solid foundation requires examining both the core definition and related word forms that enhance vocabulary range.

1. Definition

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Accuse /əˈkjuːz/ functions as a transitive verb with specific meaning: to say that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind, to say that someone is responsible for a crime or for having done something wrong. For example:

• "It wasn't his fault". "Don't worry, no one is accusing him." 

• Tom has been accused of robbery.

2. Word Family

Understanding related forms expands communicative versatility:

II. Common usages of Accuse in English

The verb "Accuse" follows predictable grammatical patterns that govern its proper application in sentences.

Analysis reveals that Accuse consistently pairs with the preposition "of," establishing the relationship between the accused party and the alleged wrongdoing. The gerund form (-ing) follows "of" rather than the infinitive form, creating proper grammatical structure.

III. Synonymous words/phrases of Accuse in English

Professional communication benefits from varied expression methods that convey similar meanings with different intensity levels.

IV. Distinguishing between Accuse and Blame

While both verbs address fault attribution, they operate in different contexts with varying implications.

Similarities: Both terms involve attributing responsibility or fault to individuals for actions or situations.

Differences:

V. Exercises on Accuse in English with answers

Applied practice reinforces theoretical understanding and develops practical usage skills for both Accuse and Blame.

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer 

1. She ______ him of cheating on the test.

   1. Accused

   2. Blamed

2. The police  ______ the suspect of robbery.

   1. Accused

   2. Blamed

3. He  ______ his failure on his lack of preparation.

   1. Accused

   2. Blamed

4. They stand  ______ of crimes against humanity.

   1. Accused

   2. Blamed

5. Don't  ______the weather for our problems.

   1. Accuse

   2. Blame

Exercise 2: Conjugate the verbs in the sentences below

1. Bob accused her colleague of (steal) her ideas for the project.

2. The teacher accused the student of (cheat) on the exam and gave him a failing grade.

3. The company was accused of (pollute) the river.

4. David was accused of (commit) a serious crime, but there was not enough evidence to convict him.

5. The politician was accused of (corrupt), which damaged his reputation and career.

2. Answer

Mastering the usage of Accuse in English with the preposition "of" significantly enhances English communication precision. The verb demands specific structural patterns, consistently requiring gerund forms after "of" while serving contexts involving formal allegations or serious wrongdoing claims. Regular practice with these patterns develops natural usage fluency for English learners across proficiency levels.