charge you with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "charge you with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone is being formally accused of a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The authorities decided to charge you with theft after reviewing the evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

People charge you with hypocrisy, said Webb.

The Guardian

We can charge you with a felony for that.

The Guardian - Opinion

I charge you with being a brainwashed fraudulent, hoaxed fool.

The New York Times - Books

But the police don't want to charge you with anything if the wife's not going to be behind it.

The New Yorker

You have no choice; if you leave, the hospital will threaten you with termination or charge you with patient abandonment.

The New York Times

… If you don't tell them what they want to hear, they will charge you with lying," Corsi said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Congressional Republicans are like the state trooper who tries to run you off the road and then charges you with reckless driving.

The New Yorker

"Then someone looked under the bed, found the socks and the government hauled you into court and charged you with being a bad parent".

The New York Times

"Tessa Larionov" — he gestured with his head in the direction of Tessa's door — "has charged you with making obscene phone calls to her".

The New Yorker

It's a bit like asking a judge to declare that you didn't rob a bank, even before the police have charged you with a crime.

Forbes

Boom, I'm charging you with a crime.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "charge you with", ensure the context is formal, such as legal or official settings, as it implies a serious accusation. In less formal situations, consider alternatives like "accuse you of".

Common error

Avoid using "charge you with" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or legalistic when a simpler phrase like "blame you for" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "charge you with" functions as a performative verb phrase, primarily used to perform the act of formally accusing someone of a crime, offense, or wrongdoing. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used in legal or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "charge you with" is a formal phrase used to accuse someone of wrongdoing, typically in legal or official contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's crucial to use it appropriately, avoiding informal settings where it may sound out of place. Alternatives like "accuse you of" or "blame you for" are better suited for casual communication. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, reflecting its relevance in reporting on legal and criminal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accuse you of

Replaces "charge" with "accuse", focusing on the act of alleging wrongdoing.

indict you for

Implies a formal legal accusation, similar to "charge", but specific to indictment.

blame you for

Directly assigns fault or responsibility for something negative.

allege you committed

Formally states that someone claims you performed an action, often a crime.

hold you responsible for

Shifts focus to accountability rather than direct accusation.

lay the blame on you

Emphasizes the act of assigning responsibility for a negative outcome.

impute to you

Suggests attributing something, often negative, to someone.

attribute to you

Similar to "impute", but can also refer to positive qualities.

saddle you with

Indicates burdening someone with something unwanted.

connect you with

Implies associating someone with something or someone else.

FAQs

What does it mean to "charge someone with" something?

To "charge someone with" something means to formally accuse them of a crime or wrongdoing, typically in a legal context.

What can I say instead of "charge you with" in a less formal context?

In less formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "accuse you of", "blame you for", or "hold you responsible for".

Is it correct to say "charge with" without the "you"?

While grammatically possible in certain constructions, it's more common and clearer to include the pronoun, such as "charge him with" or "charge her with", to specify who is being charged.

What's the difference between "charge you with" and "indict you for"?

"Charge you with" is a general accusation, while "indict you for" specifically refers to a formal accusation by a grand jury leading to a trial.