be charged under the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be charged under the" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is being formally accused of a crime or offense according to a specific law or statute. Example: "The defendant will be charged under the criminal code for theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

To be charged under the Espionage Act?

The New Yorker

If Mr. Zimmerman cannot be charged under the law, then the law needs to be changed.

The New York Times

Cynics suspect ministers panicked when they realised that they might be charged under the laws.

The Economist

Pilots of drones can be charged under the Air Navigation Order 2009.

Independent

The perpetrators, said Naomi Lefkovitz, a lawyer with the F.T.C., could be charged under the 1998 Federal Identity Theft Act.

The New York Times

While executives involved in paying bribes can be jailed, foreign officials cannot be charged under the law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Several more people were charged under the same law this year.

The Guardian

I was charged under the Espionage Act and was under surveillance both physical and electronic.

The New York Times

The defendants and the company are charged under the state's racketeering law.

The New York Times

Some have been charged under the narco-terrorism provision of the Patriot Act.

The New Yorker

"Tom Drake never should have been charged under the Espionage Act," they said in a statement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be charged under the", ensure that the specific law or statute is clearly identified to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example: "He will be charged under the Espionage Act."

Common error

A common error is using the incorrect verb tense. Ensure the verb "be" is conjugated correctly to match the subject and context, such as using "was charged" for past events instead of misusing the infinitive form in past contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be charged under the" functions as a passive construction indicating a legal accusation. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in describing formal accusations under specific laws, like the Espionage Act or anti-terrorism laws. The phrase sets the stage for legal proceedings following the accusation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be charged under the" is a common and grammatically sound expression primarily used in legal and journalistic contexts to denote a formal accusation under a specific law. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples from authoritative news sources and legal documents. The phrase functions to inform and report on legal actions, maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad public consumption. While alternatives like "face charges under the" or "be prosecuted under the" exist, "be charged under the" remains a precise and widely understood way to convey the initiation of legal proceedings. The phrase is very common, as demonstrated by Ludwig, and is predominantly found in news and media, formal business documents, and occasionally in scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face charges under the

This alternative replaces "be charged" with "face charges", maintaining the same legal implication.

be prosecuted under the

This alternative uses "be prosecuted" instead of "be charged", focusing on the legal proceedings that follow.

be indicted under the

This term specifies the formal accusation by a grand jury, adding a layer of legal precision.

be tried under the

This focuses on the trial aspect of the legal process.

be subject to prosecution under the

This alternative emphasizes the potential for legal action.

answer to charges under the

This focuses on the defendant's obligation to respond to the accusations.

be held accountable under the

This version highlights responsibility and legal consequences.

be liable under the

This indicates legal responsibility for actions under a specific law.

be subject to legal action under the

This is a broader term indicating any form of legal process.

be penalized under the

This alternative focuses on the punitive aspect of the law.

FAQs

What does "be charged under the" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "be charged under the" means that someone is formally accused of violating a specific law or statute and will face legal proceedings as a result.

Are there synonyms for "be charged under the"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "face charges under the", "be prosecuted under the", or "be indicted under the", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is "be charged under the" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, it's used to indicate that someone is being accused of a crime according to a specific law, like: "The suspect will be charged under the state's racketeering law."

What's the difference between "be charged under the" and "be convicted under the"?

"Be charged under the" refers to the initial accusation, while "be convicted under the" means that the person has been found guilty in a court of law.