be charged with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be charged with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when a person is accused of a crime or violation, and they are being held responsible for that act. For example: "The man was charged with reckless driving after he caused an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Can't he be charged with a crime?

The New York Times

He could now be charged with murder.

The Guardian

What will Tsarnaev ultimately be charged with?

The New Yorker

Maybe the engineer should be charged with killing Anderson's fiancée.

Columbia University

The agency said he would be charged with defiant trespass.

The New York Times

"She will be charged with grandstanding," Clark said of Harrington.

The New York Times - Sports

He will be charged with criminal trespassing, Mr. Coleman said.

The New York Times

Oliver will be charged with improving televisual communication.

Independent

Instead they will be charged with multiple felonies.

The New York Times

Eight men will later be charged with the crime.

Independent

They could be still be charged with something.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be charged with" in legal contexts, ensure you accurately represent the specific charges filed against the individual. For example, instead of saying "He will "be charged with" a crime", specify "He will "be charged with" fraud and embezzlement".

Common error

Avoid using "be charged with" when you mean "be in charge of". "Be charged with" implies a legal accusation, while "be in charge of" means having responsibility or control. For instance, say "She is in charge of the project", not "She is "be charged with" the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be charged with" functions as a passive construction, primarily used to indicate that someone is formally accused of a crime or offense. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be charged with" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate a formal accusation of a crime or offense. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to convey legal or formal accusations, assigning responsibility for an action that violates a rule or law. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register. While semantically related to phrases like "face charges of" or "be accused of", it is crucial not to confuse it with similar-sounding phrases such as "be in charge of", which implies responsibility rather than accusation. The usage of "be charged with" is very high, especially in the news.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face charges of

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the act of facing accusations in court.

answer to the charge of

Emphasizes the need to defend oneself against a specific accusation.

be accused of

Focuses on the act of accusation rather than the formal charging process.

be indicted for

Refers specifically to a formal accusation by a grand jury.

be responsible for

Implies a duty or obligation rather than a legal accusation.

have the onus of

Highlights the burden of proof or responsibility.

be given the responsibility for

Formal way to indicate someone is given a role.

be tasked with

Indicates assignment of a task or duty, not necessarily related to wrongdoing.

be entrusted with

Highlights the act of giving someone trust or power.

be burdened with

Implies a heavy load or responsibility, often negative.

FAQs

How is "be charged with" used in a sentence?

The phrase "be charged with" indicates that someone is formally accused of committing a crime. For example, "He will "be charged with" theft" means he is accused of stealing something.

What's the difference between "be charged with" and "be accused of"?

"Be accused of" implies someone is claiming another committed an offence, while "be charged with" means there's a formal legal accusation. One example is, "He was accused of the crime by his neighbor before he was "be charged with" it by the police".

What can I say instead of "be charged with"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "face charges of", "be indicted for", or "be accused of".

Which is correct, "be charged with" or "being charged with"?

Both forms are grammatically valid, but "be charged with" is more common and generally preferred when describing a future or general action. "Being charged with" is more appropriate when emphasizing the ongoing nature of the charging process.