cleared of charges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared of charges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has been exonerated or found not guilty of accusations or legal charges. Example: "After a thorough investigation, the defendant was cleared of charges and released from custody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was eventually cleared of charges.

The Guardian

Woerth was also cleared of charges of influence-peddling.

The Guardian

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

Duff was subsequently cleared of charges of obstruction and assaulting police.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Style

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

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

Stylianos Contogoulas and Ryan Michael Reich were cleared of charges of plotting to manipulate a benchmark interest rate.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Earlier this month, two lawyers representing students involved in uprisings in 1999 were cleared of charges stemming from their activities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "cleared of charges" to indicate that someone was formally accused but found not guilty. Ensure the context makes it clear whether this was due to a trial, dismissed charges, or lack of evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "cleared of charges" interchangeably with terms like "pardoned" or "acquitted". "Pardoned" implies forgiveness after a conviction, while "acquitted" specifically refers to a not-guilty verdict after a trial. "Cleared of charges" is a broader term that encompasses various ways an accusation can be dismissed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of charges" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, typically describing the state of an individual after legal proceedings. It indicates that a person is no longer subject to accusations or legal burdens. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in news and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cleared of charges" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that someone has been absolved of accusations, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a predicate adjective phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using the expression, it is important to consider the specific legal context to avoid confusion with similar terms like "pardoned" or "acquitted". Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various sources. Related phrases include "acquitted of charges" and "exonerated of accusations", each carrying slightly different nuances regarding the legal process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquitted of charges

Indicates a formal legal declaration of not guilty, often after a trial.

exonerated of accusations

Implies a complete vindication, often involving the clearing of one's name.

found not guilty

A straightforward declaration of innocence by a court.

absolved of blame

Suggests a release from responsibility or fault, not necessarily legal.

vindicated of allegations

Emphasizes that the person's innocence has been proven after doubt.

absolved of wrongdoing

Release from responsibility for an action that was considered wrong.

charges dropped

Indicates that the prosecution has ceased, and the charges are no longer pursued.

case dismissed

The legal proceedings have been terminated, often due to lack of evidence.

freed from indictment

Release from a formal accusation by a grand jury.

released without conviction

Indicates that the person was released without a guilty verdict.

FAQs

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

To be "cleared of charges" means that formal accusations against someone have been dropped or they have been found not guilty, and are no longer subject to legal proceedings related to those accusations. It's similar to being "acquitted" or "exonerated".

How is being "cleared of charges" different from being acquitted?

While both indicate a favorable outcome for the accused, "cleared of charges" is a broader term. Acquittal specifically means a not-guilty verdict after a trial. Being "cleared of charges" can also include cases where charges were dropped before a trial even began, or if the "case dismissed".

What are some alternatives to saying someone was "cleared of charges"?

Depending on the context, you could say someone was "acquitted of charges", "exonerated of accusations", or that the "charges dropped". The best choice depends on the specific legal circumstances.

Is it correct to say someone was "cleared of all charges"?

Yes, it is correct to say someone was "cleared of all charges". This phrase emphasizes that every accusation against the person has been resolved in their favor. It's a common way to express complete "vindicated of allegations".