a charge against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a charge against" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to an accusation or allegation made against someone. Example: "The defendant faced a charge against him for theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A charge against Dragovic's friend, Aleksandar Stanisic, was also dropped.

The New York Times - Sports

A charge against her is likely to be dismissed.

The New York Times

Do you know anyone who has a charge against me?

The New York Times

"Would I take a charge against me?" James said.

The New York Times

The agency brought a charge against Tourre, as well.

The New Yorker

Now the Socialist government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is leading a charge against it.

The Economist

The jury is still considering a charge against a sixth defendant, Darrell Read.

Independent

Barclays also took a charge against the value of its own debt.

The New York Times

Nutrition advocates have led a charge against the presence of fast food.

The New York Times

This is the first of the shootings that produced a charge against a police officer.

The Washington Post

However, to the family's surprise the CPS decided not to pursue a charge against the nurse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a charge against", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific accusation or allegation being made. Be precise about who is making the charge and who it is directed towards.

Common error

Avoid using "a charge against" without specifying the nature of the charge. Vague accusations can be confusing and legally unsound. Always provide enough detail to make the charge understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a charge against" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce the object of an accusation or allegation. It often appears in legal or formal contexts. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is generally grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a charge against" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that commonly appears in formal and legal contexts to introduce an accusation or allegation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its register is generally neutral, leaning toward professional due to its presence in news, business, and academic sources. Related phrases include "an accusation toward" and "a case against", each offering slight variations in tone or emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the charge and the parties involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a case against

Keeps "case against" to provide an equivalent term that focuses on the legal framing of an accusation.

an accusation leveled at

Replaces "charge" with "accusation" and uses "leveled at" for a more vivid depiction of the act of accusing.

an accusation toward

Replaces "charge" with "accusation" and "against" with "toward", altering the specific terminology while retaining the core meaning of an allegation.

an allegation regarding

Substitutes "charge" with "allegation" and "against" with "regarding", providing a more neutral tone for describing an accusation.

an indictment for

Uses "indictment" to replace "charge" and "for" instead of "against", emphasizing the legal aspect of a formal accusation.

a claim upon

Replaces "charge" with "claim" and "against" with "upon", shifting the context to a formal demand or assertion.

a grievance concerning

Substitutes "charge" with "grievance" and "against" with "concerning", indicating a complaint or resentment about something.

a complaint pertaining to

Uses "complaint" to replace "charge" and "pertaining to" instead of "against", highlighting the formal expression of dissatisfaction.

a proceeding versus

Substitutes "charge" with "proceeding" and "against" with "versus", primarily emphasizing the legal aspect of a formal accusation.

an offensive towards

Replaces "charge" with "offensive" and "against" with "towards", it changes the context to an attack.

FAQs

How do I use "a charge against" in a sentence?

Use "a charge against" to indicate a formal accusation or allegation. For example, "There was "a charge against" the defendant for fraud".

What's the difference between "a charge against" and "an accusation of"?

"A charge against" typically implies a more formal or legal context, while "an accusation of" can be used more broadly. Both indicate wrongdoing, but "a charge against" often suggests official proceedings.

What can I say instead of "a charge against"?

You can use alternatives like "an allegation regarding", "an indictment for", or "a case against" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a charge towards" instead of "a charge against"?

While "towards" can indicate direction, "against" is the standard and more appropriate preposition to use with "a charge" when indicating an accusation. Therefore, "a charge against" is correct, whereas "a charge towards" is not.