clear of charges

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear of charges" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that there are no fees or penalties associated with a service or transaction. Example: "After reviewing the account, we found it to be clear of charges." Alternative expressions include "free of charges" and "without charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was eventually cleared of charges.

The Guardian

Woerth was also cleared of charges of influence-peddling.

The Guardian

The Democrat party, Thailand's oldest, was cleared of charges of fraud.

The Economist

Hood knew four prisoners at Menard who, since 2010, had been cleared of charges and released.

The New Yorker

PAUL BURRELL, former butler to Princess Diana, after he was cleared of charges of plundering her estate.

The New York Times

The killings were linked to Holmes, although he was later cleared of charges.

The New York Times - Style

Brooks denied any involvement in hacking and was cleared of charges in June last year.

The Guardian

A former judge was cleared of charges that he spanked and sexually abused male inmates.

The New York Times

He was cleared of charges of violating personal privacy but faces a retrial after a prosecutor appealed the verdict.

The New York Times

One Navy official familiar with the case also noted that "being cleared of charges doesn't mean he's exonerated.

The New York Times

A3 Berlusconi Cleared of Charges A panel of judges swept away corruption charges against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear of charges" to indicate that someone has been formally declared not guilty of an accusation, often in legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "clear of charges" when someone is merely suspected of wrongdoing but no formal charges have been filed. The phrase implies a legal process has concluded in their favor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear of charges" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that the subject is free from legal accusations. Ludwig examples showcase this usage in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear of charges" is used to describe a situation where someone is no longer accused of a crime or wrongdoing. Grammatically, it acts as an adjective phrase. While Ludwig indicates grammatical correctness, the lack of exact matches highlights the importance of understanding similar phrases like "acquitted" or "exonerated". The phrase typically maintains a neutral register, predominantly appearing in news or formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquitted of charges

Focuses specifically on a court verdict of not guilty.

exonerated of charges

Implies a more thorough clearing, often suggesting innocence was proven.

absolved of charges

Suggests a formal release from guilt or obligation.

found not guilty

Directly states the outcome of a trial.

cleared of all accusations

Broadens the scope from formal charges to any kind of accusation.

vindicated

Suggests the person's reputation has been restored after being cleared.

absolved from blame

Shifts focus from legal charges to general responsibility.

declared innocent

A simple and direct statement of innocence.

freed from suspicion

Focuses on the removal of doubt or mistrust.

let off the hook

An informal expression indicating escape from punishment or responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "clear of charges"?

To be "clear of charges" means that formal accusations against someone have been dropped or that they have been found not guilty in a court of law.

What can I say instead of "clear of charges"?

You can use alternatives like "acquitted of charges", "exonerated of charges", or "absolved of charges" depending on the specific context.

Is it different to be "clear of charges" versus "exonerated of charges"?

While both indicate freedom from accusations, "exonerated of charges" often implies a stronger vindication or proof of innocence, while "clear of charges" simply means the legal process did not result in a guilty verdict.

How is "clear of charges" different from "let off the hook"?

"Clear of charges" is a formal term related to legal proceedings. "Let off the hook" is an informal idiom that suggests someone has avoided punishment or responsibility, not necessarily through legal means.