was charged for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was charged for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone was billed or held responsible for a specific cost or fee. Example: "He was charged for the damages caused during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

An entry fee of $200 was charged for each oil.

The New York Times

He was charged for carrying a pocket knife.

The Guardian

In May 1982, he was charged for civil contempt of a federal grand jury.

Columbia University

"I categorically deny that anyone was charged for anything of any kind.

Independent

When the bill arrived, he was charged for the steak, as he'd requested.

The New York Times - Books

He was charged for the second time with violating an order.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

A first step was charging for parking.

The New York Times

He had not been charged for years.

The New Yorker

Licensee will be charged for any damage.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We're not being charged for them.

The New York Times

You should not be charged for this.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was charged for", ensure clarity about who was charged, what they were charged for, and, if relevant, how much they were charged. Example: "The customer was charged for the late return of the equipment, resulting in a $50 fee."

Common error

Avoid using "was charged for" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of saying "He was charged for the meal", consider saying "The restaurant charged him for the meal" if the actor is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was charged for" functions as a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that someone received a bill or incurred a cost, often specifying the reason for the charge. It emphasizes the recipient of the charge rather than the actor imposing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was charged for" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone incurred a cost or was billed for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it is a neutral expression. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who was charged and what they were charged for. Alternatives include "was billed for" or "was fined for", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was billed for

Replaces "charged" with "billed", emphasizing the financial aspect.

was invoiced for

Similar to "billed", but often used in more formal or business contexts.

was fined for

Specifically refers to penalties imposed for rule violations.

was penalized for

Similar to "fined", but can also apply to non-monetary punishments.

was held liable for

Indicates legal responsibility for damages or losses.

was held accountable for

Focuses on being responsible for actions or outcomes.

was made to pay for

Emphasizes the act of compensating for something, whether it's a mistake or service.

was assessed a fee for

Refers to the imposition of a specific charge or levy.

bore the cost of

Highlights who ultimately paid for something.

was debited for

Focuses on a specific amount being removed from an account.

FAQs

What does "was charged for" mean?

The phrase "was charged for" indicates that someone received a bill or was held responsible for paying a specific amount of money for a service, product, or penalty. For example, "He "was charged for" the extra baggage."

What are some alternatives to "was charged for"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "was charged for" include "was billed for", "was fined for", or "was assessed a fee for".

Is it correct to say "was charged of" instead of "was charged for"?

No, "was charged of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "charged" in this context is "for". "Charged of" is used in the context of accusing someone of a crime, e.g., "He was charged of theft".

How do I use "was charged for" in a sentence?

Use "was charged for" to indicate that someone received a bill or incurred a cost for something. For example: "The hotel guest "was charged for" the mini-bar items" or "She "was charged for" violating the parking regulations".