Free of charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Free of charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is provided without any cost or payment required. Example: "The consultation service is free of charge for all new clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Free of charge: the Bunny Williams panache.

The New York Times - Travel

Free of charge.

TechCrunch

Provided Free of Charge.

The New Yorker

She agreed, free of charge.

The New York Times

It was free of charge.

The New York Times

They even provided lawyers free of charge.

The New Yorker

These ideas are free of charge.

The New Yorker

Tours are available free of charge.

The New York Times - Travel

Bicycles are provided free of charge.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

ft. side building free-of-charge.

Unicef

Routine vaccines are free-of-charge.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Free of charge" when you want to explicitly state that no payment is required for a service or product. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "Free of charge" when a more nuanced term like "complimentary" or "gratis" better suits the context, such as when offering a service as a professional courtesy. A wrong connotation may lead to ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Free of charge" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective or adverb to describe something provided without cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. For example, "Routine vaccines are free-of-charge." illustrates its adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Free of charge" is a grammatically sound phrase indicating that no payment is required for something. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts. It's widely used in news, science, and business settings. While interchangeable with "free" in many cases, it carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, remember to choose the alternative that best fits the specific context and desired level of formality. Common alternatives include ""at no cost"" and ""gratis"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Free

Shorter and more direct.

Without charge

More concise, slightly more formal.

At no cost

Common alternative emphasizing the absence of expense.

At no extra charge

Emphasizes that there are no additional fees involved.

Gratis

A single word, often used in formal contexts.

Complimentary

Often used in business settings to denote something given as a courtesy.

Without payment

A more literal and formal way to say "free of charge".

For nothing

Informal and implies something obtained with minimal effort.

On the house

Idiomatic, typically used in restaurants or bars.

Given away

Implies that something is being distributed freely, often in large quantities.

FAQs

How can I use "Free of charge" in a sentence?

You can use "Free of charge" to indicate that a service or product is provided without any cost. For example, "The initial consultation is "free of charge"."

What are some alternatives to "Free of charge"?

Alternatives include "at no cost", "gratis", or "complimentary", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "Free of charge" formal or informal?

"Free of charge" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is generally considered more formal than simply saying "free".

What's the difference between "Free of charge" and "For free"?

"Free of charge" is typically used as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., "free of charge service"), while "for free" is typically used as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb (e.g., "available for free"). They both mean the same thing.