was charged

USAGE SUMMARY

"was charged" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a verb phrase in the past tense, typically used to indicate that an individual or entity has been accused of a crime or received punishment for some offense. For example: "The suspect was charged with armed robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The space was charged.

The New York Times - Arts

He was charged with incivility.

The New Yorker

Ruiz was charged in August.Mr.Mr

The New York Times

He was charged with rape.

The New York Times

He was charged with arson.

The New York Times

Willingham was charged with murder.

The New Yorker

No one was charged.

The Washington Post

Nobody was charged.

The New York Times

The air was charged.

The Guardian - Music

But it was charged.

The Guardian - Film

Neither driver was charged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting legal proceedings, use "was charged" to accurately convey that formal accusations have been made, but avoid implying guilt before a conviction.

Common error

Do not use "was charged" interchangeably with "was convicted". The former indicates accusation, while the latter signifies a legal finding of guilt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was charged" functions as a passive verb construction indicating that someone has received a formal accusation of wrongdoing. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing legal proceedings and assigning responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was charged" is a frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates a formal accusation, commonly used in legal contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most often in news and media, reflecting its role in reporting legal proceedings. While generally neutral, it's crucial to avoid implying guilt before a conviction. Alternatives such as "faced charges" or "was accused of" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. This analysis ensures accurate and responsible usage of "was charged" in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced charges

Indicates formal accusations were presented; less passive than "was charged".

was accused of

Directly states someone made an accusation.

had allegations filed against

Emphasizes the formal nature of the accusations.

was indicted for

Specifically refers to a grand jury indictment.

was booked on suspicion of

Describes the immediate aftermath of an arrest.

was arraigned on

Refers to the formal reading of charges in court.

was summonsed for

Indicates being officially called to court for a specific reason.

was held accountable for

Focuses on being responsible for an action or outcome.

bore the responsibility for

Highlights the burden of responsibility.

shouldered the blame for

Implies acceptance of responsibility for something negative.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "was charged" with a crime?

When someone "was charged" with a crime, it means that law enforcement has formally accused them of committing the crime. This is the first step in the legal process, and it does not mean that the person is guilty, only that there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.

What is the difference between "was charged" and "was convicted"?

"Was charged" means someone has been formally accused of a crime, whereas "was convicted" means a court has found them guilty of the crime.

What are some alternatives to saying "was charged"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "faced charges", "was accused of", or "was indicted for". The best choice depends on the specific stage of the legal process.

Can I use "was charged" to describe a civil case?

While "was charged" is primarily used in criminal contexts, similar phrasing can apply to civil cases. A person in a civil case might be "was sued", named as a defendant, or "faced claims".