he was charged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was charged" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been formally accused of a crime or wrongdoing by a legal authority. Example: "After a thorough investigation, John was charged with embezzlement and arrested by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was charged with incivility.

The New Yorker

He was charged with rape.

The New York Times

He was charged with arson.

The New York Times

He was charged with second-degree murder.

The New York Times

He was charged with promoting gambling.

The New York Times

He was charged with causing "unintentional injuries".

The Economist

He was charged with attempted murder.

The New York Times

He was charged with first-degree assault.

The New York Times

He was charged with reckless endangerment.

The New York Times

He was charged with 11 other people.

The New York Times

He was charged with cowardly conduct.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was charged", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific crime or offense. For example, "He was charged with fraud" is more informative than just "He was charged".

Common error

Avoid using "he was charged" in contexts where it's unclear who brought the charges or what the charges are. Clarity is crucial in legal and journalistic writing.

Linguistic Context

"He was charged" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject has received a formal accusation of wrongdoing. It is commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts to report on legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was charged" is a grammatically correct and very common construction used to indicate that an individual has been formally accused of a crime. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase follows standard grammar rules. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, serving to inform the public of legal proceedings. When using this phrase, it is important to provide context, specifying the crime or offense for which the individual was charged. Alternatives such as "he faced charges" or "he was accused of" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he faced charges

This is a slightly more direct way of saying he was the one experiencing the charges.

charges were filed against him

This alternative emphasizes the action of filing charges rather than the state of being charged.

he had charges brought against him

Emphasizes the action of bringing charges by an external entity.

he was accused of

Focuses on the act of accusation, rather than the formal charging process.

he stood accused of

Similar to "he was accused of", but adds a sense of formality and public scrutiny.

he was indicted

"Indicted" specifically means formally accused by a grand jury, adding a layer of legal precision.

he was prosecuted for

Highlights the legal pursuit and attempt to prove guilt.

he was arraigned on

Specific to the stage where a defendant is formally charged in court.

he was booked on

Relates to the process of officially recording an arrest.

legal proceedings were initiated against him

This option is more formal and general, referring to any kind of legal action.

FAQs

What does "he was charged" mean?

The phrase "he was charged" means that someone has been formally accused of a crime by a legal authority and is subject to legal proceedings.

What can I say instead of "he was charged"?

You can use alternatives like "he faced charges", "charges were filed against him", or "he was accused of" depending on the context.

Is "he was charged" the same as "he was convicted"?

No, "he was charged" means he has been accused, while "he was convicted" means he has been found guilty of the crime.

How to use "he was charged" in a sentence?

Use "he was charged" to indicate the formal accusation of a crime, for example, "He was charged with theft after the investigation concluded."