have been charged with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been charged with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has been formally accused of a crime or offense. Example: "The suspects have been charged with robbery and are awaiting trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seven soldiers have been charged with wrongdoing.

The Guardian

They have been charged with murder.

Independent

None have been charged with a crime.

The New York Times

None have been charged with any crimes.

The New York Times

Five others have been charged with treason.

The New York Times

Two other employees have been charged with similar conduct.

The Economist

None of them have been charged with any offence.

The Guardian

Three priests have been charged with sex offences.

Independent

None have been charged with a criminal offence.

Independent

Five of the soldiers have been charged with misdemeanor assault.

The New York Times

Three men have been charged with attempted murder.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been charged with", ensure that the charges are formally filed in a legal context. Avoid using it for mere suspicions or rumors.

Common error

Avoid using "have been charged with" in non-legal contexts. For informal situations, use phrases like "accused of" or "blamed for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been charged with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone has received a formal accusation of committing a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard legal phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been charged with" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone has been formally accused of a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is primarily found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone while relating factual information. When writing, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations where formal charges have indeed been filed, rather than for informal accusations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face charges of

This alternative is a more concise and direct way of stating that someone is confronting legal accusations.

have been accused of

This option indicates an allegation without confirming formal charges.

are facing prosecution for

This alternative emphasizes the legal process and potential consequences.

stand accused of

This provides a slightly more formal and literary tone.

have been indicted for

This specifically refers to a formal accusation by a grand jury.

are under indictment for

This specifies that the indictment is currently active.

have been arraigned on charges of

This alternative indicates the initial court appearance where charges are formally presented.

are being prosecuted for

This focuses on the ongoing legal action.

are on trial for

This option indicates the case is currently being heard in court.

are suspected of

This indicates a lower level of certainty than "have been charged with", focusing on suspicion rather than formal accusation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have been charged with" something?

To "have been charged with" a crime means that law enforcement has formally accused someone of committing a specific offense and has initiated legal proceedings against them.

What's the difference between "have been charged with" and "have been accused of"?

"Have been charged with" indicates a formal legal accusation and the start of legal proceedings. "Have been accused of", on the other hand, simply means someone has made an allegation, but formal charges may not have been filed yet.

What are some alternatives to "have been charged with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "face charges of", "have been indicted for", or "are under indictment for".

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

No, the correct phrasing is "have been charged with". Using "for" is grammatically incorrect in this context.