he was in charge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was in charge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone had responsibility or authority over a particular task, project, or group. Example: "He was in charge of organizing the annual company retreat, ensuring everything ran smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was in charge of community relations.

The New York Times

He was in charge of them till 1975.

The New Yorker

He was in charge of booking the acts.

The New York Times

He was in charge of the firm's domestic brokerage division.

The New York Times

At his death, he was in charge of seven cases.

The New York Times

Nicholson says he was in charge of 50 hospitals.

The Guardian

He was in charge of day-to-day business.

The Guardian - Sport

"He was in charge of everything," said Dhao.

The Guardian

He was in charge of the Oakland Raiders in 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Most recently, he was in charge of negotiations with Ford.

The New York Times

Last year he was in charge of London's Meltdown Festival.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was in charge of" to clearly indicate someone's direct responsibility and authority over a specific area, project, or team. This phrasing leaves no ambiguity about who held the reins.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily converting active sentences using "he was in charge of" into passive constructions. While correct, the active voice often provides a clearer and more direct understanding of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was in charge of" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the role or responsibility held by an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was in charge of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone held responsibility and authority over something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use. While appropriate for most contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "he was responsible for" in highly formal settings. It's important to use the active voice for clarity and avoid overusing passive constructions. The phrase frequently appears in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic writing, making it a versatile and reliable choice for expressing roles and responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was responsible for

Directly states accountability for specific tasks or outcomes.

he had responsibility for

This alternative emphasizes the duty and obligation associated with a role, rather than direct control.

he oversaw

This option highlights a supervisory role, suggesting a broader perspective of management.

he supervised

Similar to oversaw, but can imply a more direct and involved level of oversight.

he managed

Focuses on the act of directing and controlling resources or people.

he was the supervisor of

Clearly defines a role with supervisory duties.

he led

Highlights the leadership aspect, implying guidance and direction.

he was the head of

Implies a position of authority and leadership over a group or department.

he directed

Suggests a more hands-on approach to guiding and controlling activities.

he controlled

Emphasizes the power and authority to dictate actions and resources.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "he was in charge of"?

You can use alternatives like "he oversaw", "he managed", or "he led" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "he was in charge of" formal or informal?

"He was in charge of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might consider using "he was responsible for".

How to use "he was in charge of" in a sentence?

You can use "he was in charge of" to indicate someone's responsibility or authority. For example, "He was in charge of the project from start to finish".

What's the difference between "he was in charge of" and "he was responsible for"?

While similar, "he was in charge of" often implies direct control and authority, whereas "he was responsible for" indicates accountability, regardless of direct control.