charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'charge' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'charge' when referring to an accusation or a fee for a service. Example sentence: She was charged with arson after setting fire to an abandoned building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Sport

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

The company has grown spectacularly since their father, Fred, died, in 1967, and the brothers took charge.

The Economist

Instead, they typically pay lower interest rates on deposits than smaller banks do, and charge higher interest rates on loans.

The Economist

It might be thought, in such circumstances, that there is little more that can be added to the prosecution case against the "community charge".

The Guardian - Opinion

If Pearce is still in charge come next Saturday's match against high-flying Derby County, it is hard to imagine him surviving a beating at the hands of the Rams.

The Guardian - Sport

"In myself, yes," said Pearce, when asked if he believed he would still be in charge next Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

Costa UK's accounts for last year showed similar sales, but a tax charge of £15m.

The Guardian - Business

As products move through the supply chain, the tax paid on the products by acquiring merchants can be deducted from the tax that the merchants then charge to their customers.

The Guardian - Money

Montgomery, who pleaded guilty in 2012, faces life in prison on a hate crime charge and five years on conspiracy.

The Guardian

One charge that wouldn't seem to stick to McConnell, now, is that he can't work across the aisle.

The Guardian

A standard charge against the EU promoting democracy is that the union itself is not democratic – hence Brussels is at best hypocritical.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "charge" in the context of accusing someone, specify the legal charge and provide supporting information if possible.

Common error

Avoid using "charge" without sufficient context, as it can refer to a financial fee, an accusation, or a responsibility. Provide specific details to clarify the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "charge" functions primarily as a noun or a verb, denoting either a fee, an accusation, a responsibility, or the act of energizing something. As Ludwig AI pointed out, "charge" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Tech

10%

Travel

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "charge" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, functioning as both a noun and a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, "charge" is correct and widely used in written English. It commonly refers to a fee for a service, an accusation in a legal context, or the responsibility someone is assigned. Its usage is very common across different types of sources like news, business, and travel. To ensure clarity, provide sufficient context when using "charge" to specify its intended meaning. Alternatives like "fee", "accuse", or "responsibility" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Remember to use "free of charge" instead of "free of charges".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levy a fee

Focuses specifically on the act of imposing a fee or tax.

bring an accusation

Emphasizes the act of formally accusing someone of wrongdoing.

put in command

Highlights the action of appointing someone to a leadership role.

take responsibility

Highlights the act of assuming duty or accountability.

lodge a complaint

Emphasizes the formal submission of a grievance.

lead an assault

Specifically refers to initiating a military attack.

saddle with responsibility

Emphasizes the act of assigning a duty or task.

add to the bill

Refers specifically to including an amount on an invoice.

energize a device

Focuses on the act of providing power to an electronic device.

make an attack

Highlights the action of initiating an aggressive move.

FAQs

How to use "charge" in a sentence?

The word "charge" can be used as a noun, such as "There is a "charge" for the service", or as a verb, such as "They will "charge" you for the extra baggage".

What can I say instead of "charge" when referring to a fee?

You can use alternatives like "fee", "cost", "rate", or "price" depending on the context. For example, "The "fee" for the service is $10".

Which is correct, "free of charge" or "free of charges"?

"Free of charge" is the correct and more common expression. It means something is provided without any cost.

What's the difference between "charge" and "accuse"?

"Accuse" means to state that someone has done something wrong or illegal. "Charge" means to formally accuse someone of a crime in a court of law.