was not charged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not charged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is not held responsible for a crime or fee. Example: "After the investigation, it was determined that he was not charged with any wrongdoing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not charged.

The New York Times - Sports

Zimmerman was not charged.

The New Yorker

Mr. Paddock was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. DeLay was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. Caulfield was not charged.

The New York Times

The friend was not charged.

The New York Times

That nurse was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. Ozawa was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. Pinckney was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. Ghermezian was not charged.

The New York Times

Mr. Espada was not charged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not charged" when you want to clearly state that someone did not face legal accusations or penalties after an investigation or event. This phrase is straightforward and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "was not charged" interchangeably with phrases like "was acquitted" or "was exonerated". "Was not charged" simply means no formal accusation was made, while "acquitted" and "exonerated" imply that the person was previously accused and cleared of those charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not charged" functions primarily as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the absence of formal accusations or legal charges against a subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's often used in news reports to inform the public about legal outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not charged" is a common and grammatically correct expression used primarily in news and media to indicate that someone did not face formal legal accusations. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in objective reporting. While it's often used neutrally, it's important to distinguish it from similar terms like "acquitted" or "exonerated", which imply prior accusations. Consider using alternatives such as "faced no charges" or "was not prosecuted" for similar meanings, and be mindful of avoiding confusion with phrases that suggest a prior accusation. Therefore, it is crucial to select the phrase with accurate use in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced no charges

Focuses on the absence of charges being brought against someone.

no charges were filed

Highlights that no formal accusation was made by authorities.

charges were dropped

Specifies that charges initially filed were later dismissed.

was not prosecuted

Emphasizes the lack of legal proceedings initiated against the individual.

was cleared of all charges

Indicates that the person was formally acquitted of any accusations.

was exonerated

Suggests that the person was cleared of suspicion or blame, implying a prior accusation.

was not indicted

Specific to cases where a grand jury did not issue an indictment.

escaped prosecution

Implies that there was a possibility of prosecution, but it did not occur.

was found not guilty

Applies specifically when a trial has taken place and the person was acquitted.

no legal action was taken

Broader phrase indicating the absence of any legal steps against someone.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "was not charged"?

It means that after an investigation or event, the authorities did not file any formal charges or accusations against that person. It doesn't necessarily mean they are innocent, just that they weren't formally accused.

What's the difference between "was not charged" and "was acquitted"?

"Was not charged" means no formal charges were ever filed. "Was acquitted" means the person was formally charged, went to trial, and was found not guilty.

What are some alternative phrases for "was not charged"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "faced no charges", "was not prosecuted", or "charges were dropped".

Is it correct to say "wasn't charged" instead of "was not charged"?

Yes, "wasn't charged" is a perfectly acceptable contraction of "was not charged" and is commonly used in both spoken and written English.