cleared of the charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared of the charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has been found not guilty or has had accusations against them dismissed. Example: "After a thorough investigation, the defendant was cleared of the charge and released from custody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He was cleared of the charge that he had had sex with her dead body after Ewing  killed her.

Independent

The incident turned into a nationally-televised spectacle, after Maria Susairaj was cleared of the charge of culpable homicide and released.

The New York Times

As it turns out, the punters, for once, got it wrong: they thought that Mr Simpson would be found guilty of murder (he was cleared of the charge).

The Economist

He was cleared of the charge, but lost his place at the university, his scholarship and his stipend, the couple's sole means of support.

The New York Times

Garcia was also found guilty of possessing the ammonium nitrate fertiliser but Hussein was cleared of the charge; Shujah Mahmood was found not guilty of possessing aluminium powder.

The Guardian

The other case involved a neurosurgeon who was accused of operating on the wrong side of a patient's brain, and who was cleared of the charge.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Mr. Sanders, who was cleared of the charges, retired last year.

The New York Times

Mr. de Villepin was cleared of the charges in the initial trial last year.

The New York Times

The mayor was accused of corruption, but was later cleared of the charges.

The New York Times

He was cleared of the charges five months after being arrested by the police.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Qatada was cleared of the charges in September but was refused permission to return to the UK.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleared of the charge", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific accusation or legal matter from which the person has been cleared. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "cleared of the charge" implies complete innocence in all related matters. It only means that the individual was not found guilty of the specific charge. Other related accusations might still exist or be under investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of the charge" functions as a passive construction indicating that an individual has been absolved of a specific accusation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. The examples show its application in news and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleared of the charge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase indicating that an individual has been absolved of a specific accusation, as verified by Ludwig AI. It primarily appears in news and legal contexts, serving to report the outcome of legal proceedings or dismissals of charges. While similar phrases like "acquitted of the charge" exist, the key is to use this phrase accurately and ensure the context clearly indicates the specific accusation involved. A crucial point to remember is that being "cleared of the charge" does not automatically imply complete innocence in all related matters; it only pertains to the specific charge in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquitted of the charge

Replaces "cleared" with "acquitted", emphasizing the legal verdict.

exonerated from the charge

Replaces "cleared" with "exonerated", suggesting a more formal and thorough clearing of blame.

absolved of the charge

Uses "absolved" instead of "cleared", implying a release from responsibility or guilt.

found not guilty of the charge

States explicitly the outcome of a legal proceeding.

vindicated of the charge

Suggests that the person's innocence has been proven, restoring their reputation.

released from the charge

Focuses on the termination of the legal accusation.

the charges were dropped

Highlights the action of dismissing the accusation rather than the person's state.

the case was dismissed

Focuses on the termination of the legal case.

charges were withdrawn

Emphasizes that the accusation has been taken back.

prosecution was dismissed

Similar to "charges were dropped" but specifies the dismissal of the prosecution.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "cleared of the charge"?

To be "cleared of the charge" means that a person has been found not guilty of a specific accusation in a legal setting, or that the accusation has been formally dismissed.

Is "acquitted of the charge" the same as "cleared of the charge"?

While similar, "acquitted of the charge" specifically refers to a legal verdict of not guilty. "Cleared of the charge" can also include situations where the charges were dropped or dismissed before a trial.

What can I say instead of "cleared of the charge"?

Alternatives include "exonerated from the charge", "absolved of the charge", or "found not guilty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Does being "cleared of the charge" mean the person is completely innocent?

Not necessarily. Being "cleared of the charge" means the person was not found guilty of that specific charge. It does not automatically imply innocence regarding other potential related actions or allegations.