are being charged

USAGE SUMMARY

"are being charged" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the present tense passive form of the verb "to charge" and indicates that someone or something is currently being accused or held responsible for a crime, offense, or debt. Example: "The suspects are being charged with burglary and will appear in court tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So people know what they are being charged.

The New York Times

It is because they are being charged more for rent.

The Guardian

They, too, are being charged with "terrorist" activities.

The Guardian

Now many of us are being charged with terrorism.

The Washington Post

Many of those arrested still do not know what they are being charged with.

The Economist

Savers are being charged for withdrawals or for switching to rival companies.

Independent

The difficulty comes when two widely different prices are being charged for the same product.

The Economist

Now that Makar is dead, they are being charged with murder.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All radios and televisions are open, cell phones are being charged.

The Guardian

Users can also cross-reference how much they are being charged for medicines.

The Guardian

They are being charged with criminal fraud, cheating and falsifying records.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "are being charged" to accurately convey that formal accusations have been made. Avoid using it loosely to describe general complaints or dissatisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "are being charged" in situations where "are being asked to pay" or "are being billed" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a formal and often negative connotation, best reserved for official charges or accusations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being charged" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present continuous passive voice. It indicates that an action (charging) is currently being performed on a subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase indicates that someone or something is currently being accused or held responsible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being charged" is a common verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something is currently facing formal accusations, fees, or penalties. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation, as it carries a stronger connotation than simpler alternatives like "are being billed". As verified by Ludwig, this phrase effectively conveys ongoing actions of charging in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are facing charges

Focuses on the legal aspect of being formally accused.

are accused of

Highlights the accusation rather than the formal charging process.

are being billed

Shifts the context to financial charges or invoices.

are subjected to fees

Emphasizes the imposition of mandatory payments.

are being fined

Specifies a penalty in the form of a monetary charge.

are incurring costs

Highlights the process of accumulating expenses.

are responsible for payment

Focuses on the obligation to pay.

are held liable for

Emphasizes legal responsibility for a debt or action.

are subject to price increases

Highlights the change in price that affects somebody.

are presented with an invoice

Highlights the formal request for payment.

FAQs

How do I use "are being charged" in a sentence?

Use "are being charged" to indicate that someone is formally accused of something, like a crime or a fee. For example: "The suspects "are facing charges" for the robbery."

What's the difference between "are being charged" and "are being billed"?

"Are being charged" often implies an accusation or formal imposition, such as in legal or penalty contexts. "Are being billed" simply refers to receiving an invoice or request for payment for services or goods.

What can I say instead of "are being charged" when talking about pricing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are subjected to fees", "are incurring costs", or "are responsible for payment" when discussing pricing or financial matters.

Is it correct to say "is being charged" instead of "are being charged"?

The correct form depends on the subject's number. Use "is being charged" for a singular subject (e.g., "He is being charged"), and "are being charged" for plural subjects (e.g., "They are being charged").