have been charged

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been charged" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is a passive verb phrase, meaning that the subject (whoever has been charged) is receiving the action of the verb (being charged) rather than performing the action themselves. This phrase is often used to describe a legal or criminal charge, but can also be used in other contexts. Here are a few examples: - After an investigation, the suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. - The company has been charged with violating environmental regulations. - The athlete has been charged with using performance-enhancing drugs. - I have been charged with planning the company's annual conference. - The project has been charged to your department's budget. In each of these examples, the subject (suspects, company, athlete, I, project) is receiving the action of being charged. This phrase is typically used when the subject is not actively doing something, but rather being affected by something that is being done to them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All have been charged.

The New York Times

Three people have been charged.

The New York Times

Two dozen people have been charged.

The Economist

George Zimmerman should have been charged.

The New York Times

Seven soldiers have been charged with wrongdoing.

The Guardian

No senior executives have been charged, though.

The New Yorker

They have been charged with murder.

Independent

None have been charged with a crime.

The New York Times

Only 60 or so have been charged.

The Economist

(In all, 47 have been charged).

The New York Times

In total, 27 people have been charged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been charged", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject has been charged with to avoid ambiguity. Include specific details about the charges whenever possible.

Common error

Avoid using "has been charged" with plural subjects. The correct form for plural subjects is "have been charged". For example, "The suspects have been charged", not "The suspects has been charged".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been charged" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received a formal accusation or indictment. It is commonly found in legal and news contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been charged" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that someone has been formally accused of a crime or offense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news and legal contexts. When using the phrase, it is essential to maintain subject-verb agreement and provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "have been accused" or "have been indicted" can be used depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. Remember to avoid common errors, such as using the phrase with plural subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have faced charges

Indicates the act of being formally accused, similar to "have been charged", but emphasizes the confrontation with the accusations.

have been indicted

Refers to a formal accusation by a grand jury, making it a more specific legal term.

are under indictment

Highlights the state of being formally accused by a grand jury.

have been accused

Implies an allegation has been made, which may or may not have resulted in formal charges.

are facing prosecution

Focuses on the legal process and the potential for conviction.

have been arraigned

Describes the formal reading of charges in court.

are subjects of a criminal complaint

Highlights that a formal accusation has been lodged, initiating the legal process.

face legal action

Indicates that a lawsuit or other legal proceeding has been initiated.

have been summonsed

Suggests being called to court, which may or may not lead to formal charges.

are the target of an investigation

Implies scrutiny and potential charges, but not necessarily formal accusation yet.

FAQs

How can I use "have been charged" in a sentence?

Use "have been charged" to indicate that someone has been formally accused of a crime or offense. For instance, "The defendant "have been charged" with fraud".

What is the difference between "have been accused" and "have been charged"?

"Have been accused" implies an allegation, while "have been charged" indicates a formal accusation by legal authorities.

What are some alternatives to "have been charged" in legal contexts?

Alternatives include "have been indicted", "face legal action", or "are facing prosecution", depending on the specific stage of the legal process.

Is it correct to say "has been charged" instead of "have been charged"?

No, "has been charged" is only correct for singular subjects. For plural subjects, the correct form is ""have been charged"". For example, "He has been charged", but "They have been charged".