duly charged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duly charged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone has been properly or officially charged with a crime or responsibility. Example: "The defendant was duly charged with theft and will appear in court next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The Yankee bull duly charged.

The Guardian - Books

Advised, wrongly, that they would get off if they pleaded guilty, they did so, but were duly charged and fined.

The Guardian

He said, for example, that he had purchased drugs from a woman named Tonya White, and she was duly charged.

The New York Times

I recall a colleague lost a magazine of twenty rounds in Afghanistan and was duly charged £250 per bullet from his meagre private's wages.

Independent

However, the judgment of officials duly charged with carrying out the election process should be presumed correct if reasonable and not in derogation of the law".

The New York Times

As Saddler's Rock went backwards, Times Up, a chance mount for the meeting's leading rider, William Buick, duly charged through to lead inside the final furlong, chased home by High Jinx and Godolphin stablemates Lost In The Moment and Cavalryman.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As noted in Boardman v. Esteva, "The election process is subject to legislative prescription and constitutional command and is committed to the executive branch of government through duly designated officials all charged with specific duties..

The New York Times

Tony Rock, a standup comic and actor who is the younger brother of Academy Awards host Chris, duly took charge of proceedings.

The Guardian - Film

His aides duly released the 10 bills that have been prioritised by Lord Falconer, the Labour peer charged with preparing for any transition to power.

The Guardian

Despite being charged with plunder -- a crime punishable by death -- Mr. Estrada continues to insist that he is the duly elected president.

The New York Times

With that charge duly laid, Mr Balls then proceeded to give a speech steeped in cynical electoral politics, thinly disguised as an economics lecture.Mr Balls knows that Labour's great challenge, and indeed his own personal challenge, is to regain the trust of voters when it comes to economic competence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duly charged" in formal or legal contexts when you want to emphasize that someone has been officially accused of something. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the charge is and who is making it.

Common error

Avoid using "duly charged" in casual conversation. It's a formal phrase best suited for legal documents, news reports, or professional communications where precision and formality are required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duly charged" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone has received a formal accusation or responsibility. It emphasizes the official nature of the charge. Ludwig examples show its application in legal and formal settings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "duly charged" is a formal expression used to indicate that someone has been officially accused of a crime or entrusted with a responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While not as frequent as other phrases, "duly charged" maintains a consistent presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, reflecting its role in formal communication and legal reporting. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its formal tone and that the nature of the charge or responsibility is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally charged

Highlights the legal aspect of the charge.

officially accused

Focuses on the formal act of accusation.

properly accused

Stresses the correctness and validity of the accusation.

formally indicted

Emphasizes the legal process of indictment.

appropriately charged

Highlights the suitability of the charge.

rightfully charged

Indicates that the charge is just and deserved.

officially tasked

Shifts the focus from accusation to assignment of duty.

formally assigned

Emphasizes the formal nature of the assignment.

legally bound

Highlights the legal obligation imposed.

officially entrusted

Focuses on the act of formally giving responsibility to someone.

FAQs

How to use "duly charged" in a sentence?

Use "duly charged" to indicate that someone has been officially accused of a crime or given a formal responsibility. For example, "The suspect was "legally charged" with fraud."

What can I say instead of "duly charged"?

Alternatives include "officially accused", "formally indicted", or "legally responsible" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "duly charged" or "properly charged"?

Both "duly charged" and "properly charged" can be correct, but "duly charged" often implies a more formal or legal process, whereas "properly charged" emphasizes correctness or appropriateness.

What's the difference between "duly charged" and "officially assigned"?

"Duly charged" typically refers to accusations of wrongdoing, while "officially assigned" implies the formal assignment of responsibilities or tasks. The former is associated with legal or disciplinary contexts, the latter with duties and roles.