Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Three college drop-outs were accused ____ cheating an NRI couple of a large amount of money.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → of
Preposition after "accuse":
- The verb accuse takes of before the wrongdoing: accuse someone of + noun / -ing form.
- In the passive the same preposition stays: be accused of something.
- This sentence: the wrongdoing is "cheating an NRI couple", so it reads "were accused of cheating".
- Complete sentence: Three college drop-outs were accused of cheating an NRI couple of a large amount of money.
Example: The clerk was accused of taking a bribe.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: with — Incorrect. With shows company or the means of doing something. We say "charged with a crime", but "accused with" is not used.
Example: She went to the fair with her cousins.
Option 3: for — Incorrect. For shows purpose, reason or benefit. We say "blamed for" or "punished for" something, but not "accused for".
Example: He was blamed for the delay.
Option 4: off — Incorrect. Off shows separation or distance from something. It cannot link a person with the wrongdoing he is charged with.
Example: A button came off his shirt.
Contrast: a person is accused of a wrongdoing but charged with a crime.