were charged for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were charged for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing fees or costs that were applied to someone for a service or product. Example: "Customers were charged for the additional services provided during their stay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No police were charged for their actions.

The Guardian

We paid for exclusive rights, and we were charged for them.

The New York Times

When the Ravens arrived at FedEx Field on team buses, they were charged for parking.

The New York Times - Sports

None of the 10 were charged for leaving, according to county records.

The New York Times

Only those customers who were charged for the services but did not use them are eligible.

The New York Times

The couple were charged for the brief journey but later refunded.

Independent

The patients were charged for the procedure, the court papers said, although the amounts were not disclosed.

The New York Times

The cells were charged for 1 h at a current density of 0.05 C and relaxed for 5 h.

Nature

FirstPort denies that leaseholders were charged for travel expenses, and says it opted for the cheaper of two quotes.

The Guardian - Money

If he were charged for those minutes as if they were commercials, he'd have paid $4 million.

The New York Times - Sports

At lunch, when we asked for a hot water refill, we were charged for a second tea (at $2.50).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were charged for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the charge is for and who or what is being charged. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were charged for" when you mean "were charged with". "Charged with" indicates an accusation of a crime, while "charged for" indicates a fee or cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were charged for" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something received a bill or incurred a cost. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically sound usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were charged for" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive construction, commonly used to indicate that a cost or fee was applied to someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific papers. While alternatives like "were billed for" or "were invoiced for" exist, it's crucial to distinguish "were charged for" from "were charged with," which denotes a criminal accusation. With a very common frequency and usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC, "were charged for" remains a reliable and clear way to communicate financial obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were billed for

Implies receiving an invoice or bill for a service or product; focuses on the financial aspect.

were invoiced for

Similar to 'were billed for' but more formal and specifically refers to receiving an invoice.

were fined for

Indicates a financial penalty imposed for a violation of rules or laws.

were penalized for

Similar to 'were fined for', but can also refer to non-monetary penalties.

were assessed for

Suggests an official evaluation and imposition of a charge or tax.

were accused of

Shifts the focus to allegations of wrongdoing rather than financial obligations.

were prosecuted for

Indicates formal legal proceedings against someone for a crime.

were held accountable for

Emphasizes the responsibility and consequences for an action or inaction.

were liable for

Denotes legal responsibility for damages or debts.

had to pay for

A more informal way of saying that someone was required to pay for something.

FAQs

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

Use "were charged for" to indicate that someone received a bill or invoice for a product or service. For example, "Customers "were charged for" the extra baggage."

What can I say instead of "were charged for"?

You can use alternatives like "were billed for", "were invoiced for", or "had to pay for" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "were charged for" and "were charged with"?

"Were charged for" indicates a financial cost or fee, while "were charged with" refers to being formally accused of a crime. They have completely different meanings and usage.

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

No, "were charged to" is not grammatically correct in this context. Use ""were charged for"" to indicate that a fee or cost was applied.