free of charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "free of charge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to indicate that something is being given or done without any cost or payment. For example: "The vet offered to vaccinate my cat free of charge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Provided Free of Charge.

The New Yorker

She agreed, free of charge.

The New York Times

It was free of charge.

The New York Times

Free of charge.

The Washington Post

They even provided lawyers free of charge.

The New Yorker

Free of charge: the Bunny Williams panache.

The New York Times - Travel

These ideas are free of charge.

The New Yorker

Tours are available free of charge.

The New York Times - Travel

Bicycles are provided free of charge.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

ft. side building free-of-charge.

Unicef

Routine vaccines are free-of-charge.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advertising a service or product, use "free of charge" to clearly communicate that there are no hidden costs involved. This builds trust and encourages potential customers to take advantage of the offer.

Common error

Do not use phrases like "absolutely free of charge". The word "absolutely" is redundant as "free of charge" already implies that there is no cost involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "free of charge" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is provided without cost. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates something being given or done without payment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "free of charge" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile adjectival phrase used to indicate that something is provided at no cost. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal settings, spanning across news, scientific, business, academic, and general contexts. Synonyms like "at no cost", "gratis", and "complimentary" can be used to add variety to your writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you avoid redundancy by omitting unnecessary qualifiers like "absolutely". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "free of charge" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free

A more general term, but often interchangeable in many contexts.

for free

An informal alternative to "free of charge".

at no cost

More formal and direct, suitable for business or legal contexts.

without charge

Emphasizes the absence of any fee or payment.

without payment

Directly states that no payment is required.

gratis

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for "free".

at no expense

Highlights the fact that the recipient does not bear any financial burden.

complimentary

Often used in hospitality or marketing to suggest a gesture of goodwill.

for nothing

More informal and emphasizes the lack of monetary exchange.

on the house

Idiomatic, typically used in restaurants or bars when something is offered without payment by the establishment.

FAQs

What's the difference between "free" and "free of charge"?

While both terms indicate that something is provided without cost, "free" is more general. "Free of charge" explicitly emphasizes that no payment is required, clarifying that there are no hidden fees or obligations.

When is it appropriate to use "free of charge"?

"Free of charge" is suitable in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize that something is provided without any cost. It's often used in business, advertising, and customer service.

Are there synonyms for "free of charge" that I can use to vary my writing?

Yes, you can use synonyms such as "at no cost", "without charge", "gratis", or "complimentary", depending on the context and desired tone.

Is it redundant to say "completely free of charge"?

Yes, saying "completely free of charge" can be seen as redundant because the phrase "free of charge" already implies that there are no costs involved. Using simply "free of charge" is usually sufficient.