What Does “Charge sb with doing sth” Mean?
“Charge sb with doing sth” means to officially accuse someone of a crime or wrongdoing.
Introduction
The phrase “Charge sb with doing sth” is commonly used in legal and everyday contexts to describe the act of accusing someone of an offense or responsibility. When you charge someone with doing something, you formally claim that they have committed a specific act, often a crime. Understanding the “Charge sb with doing sth meaning” helps learners use this phrase correctly in conversations, writing, and legal discussions. This phrase is often seen in news reports, police statements, and legal documents, making it an important part of English vocabulary related to law and responsibility.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Charge sb with doing sth (charge somebody with doing something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2-C1
- Short meaning: To accuse someone officially of a crime or wrongdoing
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Charge sb with doing sth” is a transitive phrase and is inseparable. The structure is:
- Charge + somebody (sb) + with + verb-ing (doing something)
Example pattern: They charged him with stealing the car.
Note: The verb after “with” is always in the -ing form (gerund).
How to Use “Charge sb with doing sth”?
Use this phrase when referring to formal accusations, especially in legal contexts. It is often used by police, lawyers, journalists, and in official statements. The phrase highlights that someone is being held responsible for an action, usually negative or illegal.
Example: The police charged the suspect with breaking the law.
It can also be used figuratively to mean assigning responsibility, but this is less common.
Examples
- The court charged the man with fraud.
- She was charged with causing the accident.
- They charged him with vandalizing the property.
- Police charged the teenager with shoplifting.
- The company was charged with violating safety regulations.
These examples show “Charge sb with doing sth in a sentence” clearly.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: They charged him to steal the car.
- Correct: They charged him with stealing the car.
- Incorrect: The police charged the suspect for breaking the law.
- Correct: The police charged the suspect with breaking the law.
Remember, always use “charge sb with” followed by the gerund (-ing) form.
Differences / Synonyms
“Charge sb with doing sth” is similar to “accuse sb of doing sth,” but “charge” is more formal and legal. “Accuse” can be informal or formal, while “charge” usually involves legal action.
Example:
- Police charged him with theft. (formal, legal)
- She accused him of lying. (can be informal or formal)
Common Collocations
- Charge sb with theft
- Charge sb with murder
- Charge sb with fraud
- Charge sb with assault
- Charge sb with negligence
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of charge sb with doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
John: Did you hear about the man arrested yesterday?
Sarah: Yes, the police charged him with robbery.
John: That sounds serious. What happens now?
Sarah: He will go to court to answer the charges.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form:
The police _______ the suspect _______ stealing the bike.
- a) charged / to
- b) charged / with
- c) accused / to
- d) accused / with
Answer: b) charged / with
FAQs
- Q: Can “charge sb with doing sth” be used in non-legal contexts?
A: It is mainly legal, but sometimes used to mean formally assigning responsibility. - Q: What verb form follows “with” in this phrase?
A: The gerund (-ing) form of the verb. - Q: Is “charge sb for doing sth” correct?
A: No, the correct preposition is “with,” not “for.” - Q: What is the difference between “charge” and “accuse”?
A: “Charge” is formal and legal; “accuse” can be informal or formal. - Q: Can you use “charge sb with” in the passive voice?
A: Yes, for example, “He was charged with theft.”
