What is the difference between to allege and to claim? Can I use them interchangeably? Or perhaps I can only allege something illegal?
For example, from CNET:
Over the past several months, the two companies have been embroiled in
litigation in which Apple alleges that Samsung illegally copied
technology and design aspects of the iPad to create the Galaxy Tab.
If I replace alleges with claims, does it change the meaning at all?
Best Answer
Alleges means:
It is very similar to claims, but it is used in situations where there is a legal accusation which has not yet been resolved. For example, Apple here alleges Samsung copied technology. This may or may not be true, but in any case it is a legal claim.
You could use claims, but it wouldn't have the same connotations.