facing charges of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing charges of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone who is being accused of a crime or legal offense. Example: "The defendant is facing charges of theft." Alternative expressions include "under indictment for" and "accused of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is facing charges of influence peddling.

The New York Times

Routh is facing charges of capital murder.

The New Yorker

They are facing charges of attempted murder.

The Guardian

She is reportedly facing charges of inciting racial hatred.

Independent

He is facing charges of murder and "gender violence".

The Guardian

Lars Helgeson, 20, is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse.

The New York Times

And the city would stop paying teachers facing charges of incompetence or misconduct.

The New York Times

Amidst intrigue and corruption the elder Gibran found himself facing charges of embezzlement.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Cribb is still facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident.

The New York Times

Activists fear Wang is facing charges of "inciting subversion of state power".

The Guardian

Mr. Denis is also facing charges of attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to maintain a neutral, journalistic tone when reporting on legal matters.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use 'for' instead of 'of' (e.g., 'facing charges for murder'). While understandable, the standard idiomatic construction is "facing charges of". If you wish to use 'for', consider the alternative "facing prosecution for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing charges of" functions as a participial phrase that typically serves as a post-modifier for a noun or as a predicative complement after the verb 'to be'. In Ludwig, it is almost exclusively used to define the current legal predicament of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing charges of" is an essential tool for formal writing, particularly in journalism and legal reporting. As Ludwig demonstrates through numerous examples from high-authority sources like The New York Times and BBC, it is the standard way to describe a person who has been formally accused of a crime. It is both grammatically correct and stylistically neutral. While alternatives like "charged with" are equally valid, "facing charges of" effectively highlights the ongoing nature of the legal challenge. Writers should ensure they follow the phrase with the specific name of the offense to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

charged with

More direct and slightly more concise, focusing on the act of charging.

accused of

Broader and can apply before formal legal charges have been filed.

under indictment for

More formal and specifically refers to a formal charge by a grand jury.

facing prosecution for

Focuses on the upcoming legal proceedings rather than just the charges.

indicted for

Refers to the specific legal action of being formally accused.

on trial for

Indicates that the judicial process has advanced to the trial stage.

facing allegations of

Less definitive than charges, focusing on the claims being made.

standing trial for

Emphasizes the person's active presence in court.

arraigned on

Specific to the initial court hearing where charges are read.

under suspicion of

Indicates an earlier investigative stage before formal charges.

FAQs

How to use "facing charges of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's legal status, such as: 'The former CEO is currently "facing charges of" securities fraud.' Ludwig shows this is very common in news reports.

What is the difference between "facing charges of" and "charged with"?

Both phrases are similar, but "facing charges of" often implies a state of being or an ongoing situation, whereas "charged with" is a more direct statement of the action taken by the court.

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

Depending on the context, you can use "accused of" for general claims, or "under indictment for" if you want to be more formal and legally specific.

Is "facing charges of" or "facing allegations of" more formal?

Both are formal, but "facing charges of" is more legally definitive. If the person hasn't been formally charged yet, "facing allegations of" is more accurate.