Charge sb with sth Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “Charge sb with sth” Mean?

“Charge sb with sth” means to formally accuse someone of a crime or wrongdoing. It is used when authorities or officials state that a person is responsible for a specific offense.

Introduction

The phrase charge sb with sth is commonly used in legal contexts. It refers to the act of accusing someone officially of committing a crime or an offense. For example, a police officer might charge a suspect with theft or fraud after an investigation. Understanding the charge sb with sth meaning helps learners recognize when someone is being held responsible for an action legally. This phrasal verb is useful not only in formal legal discussions but also in everyday conversations when talking about accusations or blame. Knowing how to use this phrase correctly will improve your English, especially in contexts involving law, justice, or accountability.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: charge somebody with something
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to accuse someone formally of a crime or wrongdoing

Structure (Grammar Rules)

The phrasal verb charge sb with sth is inseparable. This means the object cannot come between “charge” and “with”.

Correct pattern:

• charge + somebody + with + something

Example: They charged him with robbery.

You cannot say: They charged with him robbery (incorrect).

How to Use “Charge sb with sth”?

Use this phrase when talking about legal charges or formal accusations. It often appears in news reports, police statements, and legal discussions. You can also use it metaphorically to mean blaming someone for something serious.

Examples of contexts include:

• Police charging a suspect with a crime
• Authorities charging someone with breaking rules
• Figurative use: blaming someone for a mistake or problem

Examples

• The police charged the man with theft after finding stolen goods in his car.
• She was charged with fraud for falsifying the documents.
• The company charged the employee with violating the safety rules.
• They charged him with causing the accident due to negligence.
• Charge sb with sth in a sentence: The court charged her with embezzlement last week.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: The police charged with him the crime.
  Correct: The police charged him with the crime.
• Incorrect: They charged him for robbery.
  Correct: They charged him with robbery.
• Incorrect: She was charged the crime.
  Correct: She was charged with the crime.

Differences / Synonyms

Charge sb with sth vs accuse sb of sth:

Both mean blaming someone for a crime or fault. However, “charge sb with sth” is a formal, legal term used by police or courts. “Accuse sb of sth” is more general and can be informal.

Charge sb with sth vs blame sb for sth:

“Blame” is informal and used for faults or mistakes, not necessarily legal offenses. “Charge” always implies a formal accusation or legal process.

Common Collocations

• charge sb with a crime
• charge sb with murder
• charge sb with theft
• charge sb with fraud
• charge sb with breaking the law
• charge sb with offense

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of charge sb with sth:

• Charge Sb With Doing Sth

Real-life Dialogue

John: Did you hear about the case?

Mary: Yes, the police charged the suspect with burglary.

John: That’s serious. I hope the evidence is clear.

Mary: Me too. Being charged with a crime can change someone’s life.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb:

1. The police __________ him __________ robbery after the investigation.
2. She was __________ with fraud by the authorities.
3. They __________ the driver __________ causing the accident.

Answers: 1. charged / with 2. charged 3. charged / with

FAQs

• Q: Can “charge sb with sth” be used in non-legal situations?
  A: It is mainly used in legal contexts but can sometimes be used metaphorically to mean blaming someone.
• Q: Is “charge sb for sth” the same as “charge sb with sth”?
  A: No. “Charge sb for sth” means asking for payment, while “charge sb with sth” means accusing someone of a crime.
• Q: Can I separate the phrasal verb?
  A: No, “charge sb with sth” is inseparable; you must keep the words together.
• Q: What level of English is this phrase?
  A: It is usually at B2 level, suitable for upper-intermediate learners.
• Q: What are common crimes used with this phrase?
  A: Theft, fraud, murder, robbery, and other offenses are common.