to be in charge

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be in charge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of someone being responsible for something. Example: My boss asked me to be in charge of the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everybody wants to be in charge".

The New York Times

"Somebody has to be in charge.

The New York Times

"You both want to be in charge".

The New York Times

No one seemed to be in charge.

The New York Times

Well, who's supposed to be in charge?

The Guardian

Ministers love to be in charge.

The Guardian

But both like to be in charge.

The New York Times

"She wanted to be in charge".

The New York Times - Food

He needs to be in charge.

The New York Times

He likes to be in charge".

The New York Times - Sports

She had to be in charge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be in charge" when you want to clearly indicate who holds the responsibility and authority for a specific task, project, or team.

Common error

Don't use "to be in charge" without specifying what someone is in charge of. Being vague creates confusion. Always clarify the scope of responsibility. Instead of saying "He is to be in charge", say "He is to be in charge of the marketing campaign".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in charge" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a predicate adjective to describe someone's role or responsibility. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be in charge" is a versatile and widely used infinitive phrase that clearly denotes responsibility and authority. As highlighted by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, making it suitable for various contexts ranging from news and media to formal business settings. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "to be responsible for" or "to oversee", understanding the subtle nuances between them allows for more precise communication. Remember to always specify what someone is in charge of to avoid vagueness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Therefore, use "to be in charge" confidently to establish clarity and accountability in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be responsible for

Emphasizes the accountability aspect of being in charge.

to have authority over

Focuses on the power and right to give commands and make decisions.

to be at the helm

Implies leadership and direction, especially in organizations.

to be the leader of

Directly indicates a leadership role.

to oversee

Highlights the supervisory role in managing a project or team.

to manage

Stresses the administrative and operational aspects of being in charge.

to control

Focuses on the power to dictate actions and outcomes.

to take the reins

Suggests assuming control or leadership.

to be the head of

Indicates the top position in a hierarchy.

to preside over

Emphasizes a formal leadership role, often in meetings or ceremonies.

FAQs

How can I use "to be in charge" in a sentence?

You can use "to be in charge" to indicate who has the responsibility and authority for something. For example, "She was selected "to be in charge" of the new department".

What are some alternatives to "to be in charge"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be responsible for", "to have authority over", or "to oversee" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to be in charge of" or "to be in control of"?

While both phrases imply authority, "to be in charge of" typically denotes responsibility and management, while "to be in control of" suggests direct power and oversight. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "to be in charge" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "to be in charge" is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal situations. However, in very formal settings, you might opt for a more sophisticated synonym like "to preside over" or "to manage".