Key Difference – Accusation vs Allegation
Accusation and allegation are derived from the verbs accuse and allege, respectively. Both refer to a claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal. The difference between accusation and allegation lies in the forcefulness and the existence of evidence. Allegation is often used to describe claims that cannot be proved by any evidence. This is the key difference between accusation and allegation.
What is an Accusation?
An accusation is a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong. It can be defined as “a formal charge of wrongdoing, delinquency, or fault” (Merriam-Webster Legal dictionary). This noun is derived from the verb accuse. When we are accusing someone, it means that we are forcefully asserting something onto someone or something, but this accusation can be true or false. Accusation and accuse can also be used when someone is charged with committing a crime based on reasonable proof. Thus, it is always better to use accusation when the claims or charges are substantiated with evidence and proven true.
Accusation:
The police are investigating serious accusations of bribery.
The activist group made accusations of corruption against several ministers.
Accuse:
He was accused of sexually abusing his children.
She was accused of lying to the police.
What is an Allegation?
Allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong or illegal. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof”, and Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “an assertion that someone has done something wrong, often without proof”. As these definitions imply, allegation refers to claims that are made without any proof.
The noun allegation is derived from the verb allege.
Allege:
He is alleged to have killed five women.
She alleged that she was assaulted by a masked man.
Allegation:
Peter made allegations of corruption against the administration, but no action was taken.
He had to give a written statement to the police denying the allegation.
What is the difference between Accusation and Allegation?
Definition:
Accusation is a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
Allegation is a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without any proof.
Evidence:
Accusation is mostly used if a suspicion or claim can be substantiated or corroborated with evidence.
Allegation is often used when there is no evidence to prove that a wrongdoing or a crime has been committed.
Seriousness:
Accusation can be more forceful and strong than an allegation.
Allegation is not as serious or forceful as an accusation.
Image Courtesy:
“315754” (Public Domain) via Pixabay
“Allegation” NY (CC BY-SA 3.0) via The Blue Diamond Gallery