sue

sue — verb

1. to take a dispute to a civil court so that a judge can decide whether an individ

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to take a dispute to a civil court so that a judge can decide whether an individual, company, or other party must pay you or fix something they did wrong.

例句

Chidi sued the construction company after their damaged roof caused flooding in his flat.

sue + organization + for harm caused

The family is suing the hospital for the cost of further treatment and other losses.

sue + person + for + financial loss

同義詞
  • take to court

    less formal, plain-language equivalent; common in everyday speech

  • litigate

    more formal and technical; focuses on the court process rather than the claim

  • file a lawsuit against

    more procedural; emphasizes the act of starting the legal paperwork

反義詞
  • settle

    to resolve a dispute outside court without a lawsuit

文法句型

sue + person/organization + for + noun

sue + person/organization + over + noun

sue + for + noun (intransitive)

用法筆記

The person or organization being sued follows directly after the verb (sue + someone). The reason for the legal action is introduced by for (the harm or loss) or over (the subject of the dispute). Often used in news reports; the passive form is also common: 'The company was sued by its employees.'

常見錯誤

❌The police sued him for stealing a car.
✅The police charged him with stealing a car.
💡Sue is for civil cases (private disputes over money or rights); charge is for criminal cases (breaking a law).
❌She sued him to get money.
✅She sued him for damages.
💡Use for + noun to state the reason; do not use a to-infinitive directly after sue.

2. to make a formal request to a court or other legal authority, asking for a speci

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to make a formal request to a court or other legal authority, asking for a specific decision such as the end of a marriage, permission to do something, or a particular legal order.

例句

After two years apart, Lakan sued for divorce in the family court.

sue for divorce

The charity sued for permission to continue providing meals at the city park.

sue for permission to

同義詞
  • petition

    more general; can be used outside courts (e.g., petition the government)

  • apply for

    less formal; used for permission, licenses, or benefits

  • seek

    broader; can refer to any formal or informal attempt to obtain something

文法句型

sue + for + noun (legal outcome or permission)

用法筆記

This sense is intransitive only — it always takes for + the thing being requested. The most common collocations in family law are sue for divorce and sue for custody. In business or public law contexts, sue for permission or sue for an injunction are more frequent.

常見錯誤

❌He sued his wife divorce.
✅He sued for divorce.
💡This sense is intransitive; always use for before the thing requested.