we were charged with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were charged with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been assigned a responsibility or task, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "After the meeting, we were charged with developing a new marketing strategy for the upcoming product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We were charged with finding something communicable in this garden that is all about big gestures".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Canwest was a television company, and we were charged with integrating across three platforms - television, print and internet.

The Guardian

Never was that clearer than on days when we were charged with printing photos for "success stories".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We have finalized roughly two-thirds of the 60 rules we were charged with promulgating under the financial reform law.

The New York Times

It should be cleared up that we did not commit mutiny, and we were charged with that because of our race".

The New York Times

We were charged with bringing together the work of three predecessor regulators – with a reduced overall budget – and implementing a brand new regulatory system.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We are charged with defending ourselves and we are charged with speaking up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Surely we are charged with reversing the problem rather than extending it in perpetuity.

The New York Times

We are charged with safeguarding the American public while protecting civil liberties.

The New York Times

That is, we're charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law, of sometimes using force.

The New York Times

When the pig is disassembled, we are charged with putting it back together, like a puzzle, from the tail forward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "tasked", "assigned", or "entrusted" to convey subtle differences in meaning depending on the specific situation.

Common error

Avoid using "we were charged with" in contexts where it's unclear if you're referring to a responsibility or a legal charge. If there's a risk of misinterpretation, use more specific language like "we were responsible for" or "we were accused of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were charged with" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group received a specific responsibility or task. This is supported by examples in Ludwig, where the phrase is used to denote assigned duties and obligations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were charged with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a group has been given a specific responsibility or task. According to Ludwig, it is mostly used in neutral to formal contexts, spanning across news, business, and scientific domains. While the phrase can also refer to a formal accusation, this meaning is less common. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a responsibility or an accusation, perhaps consider other wordings such as "we were tasked with" or "we were accused of" if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were tasked with

Replaces "charged" with "tasked", emphasizing the assignment of a task rather than a formal charge.

we were responsible for

A more direct and simple way of stating that the duty fell to them.

we were entrusted with

Suggests a sense of trust and responsibility, implying that the task was given with confidence.

we were assigned to

Focuses on the act of assignment, often in a more formal or organizational context.

we were given the responsibility of

Highlights the responsibility aspect, emphasizing the accountability that comes with the assignment.

it was our duty to

Emphasizes the obligation and moral aspect of performing a task.

we were delegated to

Implies that authority was passed down to perform the task.

we were held accountable for

Focuses on the accountability aspect, implying that consequences might follow.

we bore the burden of

Suggests a heavy responsibility, emphasizing the difficulty of the task.

we were accused of

Shifts the meaning to an accusation rather than an assignment, implying wrongdoing.

FAQs

What does "we were charged with" mean?

The phrase "we were charged with" indicates that a group was given a responsibility, duty, or task to perform. It can also mean that a group was formally accused of something, though the first meaning is much more common.

What can I say instead of "we were charged with"?

You can use alternatives like "we were tasked with", "we were assigned to", or "we were responsible for" depending on the context.

Is "we were charged with" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were charged with" is generally considered to be neutral to formal in tone. It's suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts.

How to use "we were charged with" in a sentence?

You can use "we were charged with" to describe a duty you or your group received: "We were charged with overseeing the project's completion." Or, in a less frequent scenario, to describe an accusation: "We were charged with violating company policy."