charges
charges — verb
- chargespresent simple I / you / we / they
- chargeses3rd person singular
- chargesing-ing form
- chargesedpast simple
1. what the police do when they officially tell someone they have broken the law an
what the police do when they officially tell someone they have broken the law and must appear in court.
The police charged Minh with breaking into three houses in the neighborhood.
charge + [person] + with + gerund phrase
The two men were charged with fraud after the investigation ended.
passive: be charged with [crime]
Police charged Eitan with driving without a valid license.
The district attorney decided not to charge Meera because there was no evidence.
The grand jury decided to charge Camille with stealing money from her employer.
- acquit
to officially decide in court that someone is not guilty
文法句型
charge + [someone] + with + [crime]
be charged with + [crime]
用法筆記
Only legal authorities (police, prosecutors) can 'charge' someone in this sense. A private citizen cannot 'charge' another person — they can only 'report' a crime or 'sue' in civil court.
常見錯誤
2. to set a price that a buyer must give you before you provide a product or servic
to set a price that a buyer must give you before you provide a product or service.
The garage charged Karim $150 for replacing the brakes on his car.
charge + [person] + [amount] + for + [service]
That hotel charges a cleaning fee if guests smoke in their rooms.
How much do you charge for a haircut and a beard trim?
The museum charges children under twelve half the normal entry price.
Aoi charged the customer forty dollars just for a simple oil change.
文法句型
charge + [person] + [amount] + for + [service/item]
charge + [person] + for + [service/item]
用法筆記
When stating how much someone must pay, the person paying is the direct object: 'The tailor charged Lara $80 for the dress.' Do not drop the person unless the context clearly shows who is paying.
常見錯誤
3. to supply electricity to a battery or other device so that it stores power and c
to supply electricity to a battery or other device so that it stores power and can work.
Liang plugged in his phone to charge the battery overnight.
charge + battery / device
Allison forgot to charge her laptop before the three-hour flight.
You need to charge the electric car for at least six hours.
The solar panel charges the batteries during the day.
Niran charged his wireless headphones at his desk before the meeting.
- discharge
technical opposite — when a battery loses its stored power
文法句型
charge + electrical device
device + charges (intransitive)
用法筆記
The most common modern sense of 'charge'. It can be used transitively ('charge your phone') or intransitively ('this phone charges very fast').
常見錯誤
4. to state in public that a person or organization has done something wrong, witho
to state in public that a person or organization has done something wrong, without necessarily involving the police or a court.
Several news reports charged the factory owners with ignoring safety rules for years.
charge + [someone] + with + gerund
Opponents of the plan charged that the mayor had lied about the true costs.
charge + that-clause
Activists charged widespread neglect of poor families by the government.
The senator was charged in the media with using public money for private trips.
Local parents brought a charge of neglect against the school for failing struggling students.
- defend
to speak in support of someone who has been accused
文法句型
charge + [someone] + with + [doing something bad]
be charged with + [noun/gerund]
charge + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (ACCUSE OF CRIME): this sense does not carry formal legal weight and can be used by journalists, political opponents, or the general public. The that-clause pattern is unique to this sense.
常見錯誤
5. to run or move quickly and forcefully toward a person or thing, especially in a
to run or move quickly and forcefully toward a person or thing, especially in a fight, a battle, or when an animal attacks.
The bull charged at the farmer when he walked into the field.
charge at + [someone] for sudden attack
The soldiers charged toward the enemy position as the sun came up.
When Imani opened the gate, the horses charged out into the yard.
The riot police made a sudden charge at the crowd, pushing everyone backward.
Diya saw the dog charge across the park toward the small child.
- retreat
to move backward away from danger or an enemy
文法句型
charge + at / toward / into + [someone/something]
用法筆記
Intransitive only — no direct object. The direction is expressed with a prepositional phrase (at, toward, into, across, out of). Contrast with sense 6 (HURRY ABOUT), where movement is fast but not violent or aggressive.
常見錯誤
6. to move between places or activities at a quick pace, usually because you are ve
to move between places or activities at a quick pace, usually because you are very busy or in a rush.
Kasia charged around the office all morning trying to finish the report.
charge around + [place] for busy movement
The nurses charged from one patient's room to another without a break.
Eve charged through the airport to catch her flight before it left.
The children charged out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang.
Marta charged back and forth between the kitchen and the dining table.
- stroll
to walk in a slow, relaxed way
文法句型
charge + around / about / through + [place]
用法筆記
Not aggressive — unlike sense 5 (RUSH FORWARD). This sense emphasises speed and busyness, not violence. Common with prepositions like "around", "about", "through", "out of".
常見錯誤
7. to list an item as a debt on a customer account so the total can be settled afte
to list an item as a debt on a customer account so the total can be settled afterward, instead of collecting payment right away.
Liam asked the clerk to charge the new sofa to his account.
charge + [item] + to + [account]
All meals eaten in the hotel restaurant can be charged to your room.
passive: be charged to [room]
You can charge your purchases today and pay the full amount next month.
Isabela had the new office supplies charged to the company credit card.
Many stores let customers charge items and pay in weekly installments.
- put on
more informal; 'Just put it on my tab.'
文法句型
charge + [item] + to + [account/room/card]
用法筆記
Common in American English. In British English, 'put on the card' or 'bill to' is more frequent. The preposition 'to' marks where the debt is recorded.
常見錯誤
8. to illegally run into a defensive player who has taken a legal position on the c
to illegally run into a defensive player who has taken a legal position on the court, for example in basketball.
The referee blew his whistle when Sivan charged the defender under the basket.
charge + player (object is the opponent)
Hao was called for a foul after charging straight into the guard.
passive: be called for a foul
In basketball, you cannot charge a player who has already established their position.
The coach told Mateo to stop charging opponents and work on his footwork instead.
- run into
more general, not a sports term
- collide with
describes accidental impact, not necessarily a foul
文法句型
charge + person
用法筆記
Most common in basketball. The player being charged must have established a legal defensive position before contact.
常見錯誤
9. to put the right amount of explosive material into a gun, cannon, or similar wea
to put the right amount of explosive material into a gun, cannon, or similar weapon so that it is ready to fire.
Zayd carefully charged the musket with gunpowder before the battle.
charge + weapon + with + gunpowder
Soldiers were taught to charge their rifles quickly and safely during training.
Gita charged the old cannon with powder and a heavy iron ball.
Before hunting, Hassan charged both barrels of his shotgun.
- load
more general; works for any type of ammunition
文法句型
charge + weapon + with + explosive material
用法筆記
Refers mainly to older types of guns that use loose gunpowder, not to modern weapons using pre-loaded cartridges or magazines.
常見錯誤
10. to give an official instruction that a person must carry out a particular duty.
to give an official instruction that a person must carry out a particular duty.
The officer charged the soldiers with guarding the bridge through the night.
charge + person + with + gerund (task)
The head nurse gave Allison the charge of checking the patients in the east wing.
Romi was charged with organising the entire festival schedule.
Tomás took on the charge of writing the final report at the committee's request.
文法句型
charge + person + with + task/noun phrase
用法筆記
Always used with 'with' + a task or duty when referring to what someone must do. Common in formal and organisational contexts.
常見錯誤
11. when a judge tells a jury what the relevant laws are and how to apply them befor
when a judge tells a jury what the relevant laws are and how to apply them before the jury makes its decision in a trial.
Before the jury left the room, Judge Torres charged them on the laws of self-defence.
charge + jury + on + legal topic
The judge charged the jury for nearly an hour on the rules of evidence.
Lawyers from both sides listened closely as the court charged the jury.
A jury cannot reach a verdict until the judge has properly charged them.
- instruct
more general; 'charge' is the specific legal term for this situation
文法句型
charge + jury + on + legal topic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (ACCUSE OF CRIME): 'charge a jury' means explaining the law; 'charge someone with a crime' is a different sense.
常見錯誤
charges — noun
- chargessingular
- chargesesplural
1. The sum of money demanded for a service, an activity, or a ticket.
The sum of money demanded for a service, an activity, or a ticket.
The hotel adds a service charge of ten percent to every bill.
collocation: service charge
There is a small delivery charge for bringing food to your home.
collocation: delivery charge
Parents were angry about the new charges for after-school sports clubs.
Dr. Okonkwo checked the hospital charges before paying the bill.
Bank charges for international transfers can be surprisingly high.
文法句型
charge + for + service
charge + of + amount
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'charges' even when referring to a single fee structure. The singular 'charge' is also common for individual items.
常見錯誤
2. A formal statement by the police or a legal authority that someone has committed
A formal statement by the police or a legal authority that someone has committed a crime.
The police dropped the charges against Lin after reviewing the security footage.
collocation: drop charges
Elena faces charges of theft and criminal damage to property.
collocation: face charges of
The two men were arrested on charges relating to the bank robbery.
A murder charge was brought against the driver of the stolen car.
- indictment
More formal legal term; a written formal accusation
- allegation
A claim that may or may not be proven; less official than a charge
文法句型
charge + of + crime
charge + against + person
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the plural 'charges' in legal contexts. The verb pattern is 'press charges' (for victims deciding to pursue legal action).
常見錯誤
3. A claim that someone has done something wrong or bad, made outside a formal lega
A claim that someone has done something wrong or bad, made outside a formal legal setting.
The politician angrily denied the charge that she had misused public funds.
charge + that-clause for denying
Yuki rejected the charge of dishonesty during the team meeting.
Neighbours made serious charges about the landlord's treatment of tenants.
The journalist faced charges of bias from readers on both sides.
- allegation
More neutral; a claim waiting to be proven
- accusation
A direct synonym, though 'charge' can sound slightly more formal
文法句型
charge + of + wrongdoing
charge + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (LEGAL ACCUSATION): this sense refers to a general accusation that is not necessarily made by police or in a court of law.
4. The position of having control over a situation, a group of people, or an organi
The position of having control over a situation, a group of people, or an organization.
Who is in charge of the science department at your school?
phrase: in charge of
The head nurse took charge of the emergency room during the night shift.
phrase: take charge of
Priya was put in charge of training the new restaurant staff.
When the manager retired, the assistant had charge of daily operations.
文法句型
in charge of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in fixed phrases: 'in charge (of)', 'take charge (of)', or 'have charge of'. Used without these phrases, the meaning shifts to sense 5.
常見錯誤
5. A specific duty or task that someone is entrusted to look after or carry out — f
A specific duty or task that someone is entrusted to look after or carry out — focusing on what must be done rather than the authority to be the person in control.
Dr. Chen has charge of the hospital's vaccination programme this year.
phrase: have charge of
The nanny was given charge of three children under the age of five.
passive: given charge of
Ravi accepted charge of the community garden project with great enthusiasm.
The committee handed charge of the investigation to an outside expert.
- care
Focuses on looking after someone or something; warmer connotation
- supervision
More formal; implies watching over people or work
文法句型
charge + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (IN CHARGE): sense 4 is about the role or position of being the person responsible, whereas this sense focuses on the duty or task itself. Compare 'She has charge of the accounts' (sense 5 — her duty) with 'She is in charge of the accounts' (sense 4 — her role).
6. Someone, often a child, who relies on another person for care, financial support
Someone, often a child, who relies on another person for care, financial support, or protection.
The teacher treats all her young charges with patience and kindness.
pattern: possessive + charges for dependents in care
As a camp counsellor, she was responsible for the safety of her ten charges.
The social worker made sure each of her charges had a warm meal and a bed.
The orphanage could not afford proper schooling for all its charges.
文法句型
one's + charge(s)
用法筆記
This sense is most common in formal or institutional contexts — teaching, social work, childcare, or religious care. Less commonly used in everyday conversation about one's own children.
常見錯誤
7. a measured amount of explosive material prepared for a single firing of a weapon
a measured amount of explosive material prepared for a single firing of a weapon such as a gun or cannon, or for demolition work like breaking rocks or taking down a building
The demolition team placed a carefully measured charge of dynamite at the base of the old bridge.
measured charge of [explosive material]
Minho watched as each cannon fired a charge of gunpowder toward the stone wall of the fort.
charge of gunpowder
The soldiers loaded their rifles with a single explosive charge before the patrol began.
A faulty charge of gelignite sent pieces of rock flying across the construction site.
8. a sudden forward rush by soldiers, police, animals, or sports players toward an
a sudden forward rush by soldiers, police, animals, or sports players toward an opponent or a target
The cavalry unit prepared for a charge across the open field at dawn.
prepare for a charge
Yara's dog made a sudden charge at the fence when the postman walked past.
The bull's charge toward the gate startled everyone standing near the pen.
Lara led a charge up the hill during the final minutes of the rugby match.
9. an instruction given by a person in authority that tells someone what they must
an instruction given by a person in authority that tells someone what they must do
The judge gave the jury a charge to consider only the evidence presented in court.
judge's charge to the jury
Erik received a direct charge from his manager to finish the quarterly report by Friday.
The king's charge to his knights was to protect the northern border at all costs.
Beatriz carried out her grandmother's charge to look after the family orchard after the older woman passed away.
- instruction
less commanding, often used in workplace or educational settings
- command
stronger and more military in tone
用法筆記
In legal contexts, this specifically refers to a judge's instruction to a jury about the law that applies to a case.
常見錯誤
10. the amount of electricity held in a battery, a capacitor, or carried by a partic
the amount of electricity held in a battery, a capacitor, or carried by a particle or substance
This battery holds enough charge to power a laptop for about ten hours.
hold a charge
Hamza checked the charge on his phone before leaving for the airport.
Protons carry a positive electric charge, while electrons carry a negative one.
The capacitor stored a large electrical charge and released it in a single bright flash.
用法筆記
In physics, charge is measured in coulombs and can be either positive or negative.
11. the state in which a battery or electronic device is receiving electrical power
the state in which a battery or electronic device is receiving electrical power to restore its stored energy
Nila left the tablet on charge overnight so it would be ready for the morning flight.
on charge
The electric car was on charge in the garage when the power went out.
Putri put the spare batteries on charge before heading out on the camping trip.
The technician told David to keep the drill on charge for at least three hours.
文法句型
on charge
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'on charge' (British English) or 'being charged' (more common in American English). Not used alone with articles: ✅ 'on charge' ❌ 'a charge'.
常見錯誤
12. a strong feeling of excitement, pleasure, or emotional energy that comes from do
a strong feeling of excitement, pleasure, or emotional energy that comes from doing something thrilling or enjoyable
The crowd got a huge emotional charge from the team's last-minute winning goal.
get a charge from [something]
Ezra felt a charge of excitement when his name was called out at the awards ceremony.
There was a creative charge in the art studio as the students prepared for the exhibition.
Sade's speech gave the audience a charge of energy that lasted long after the event ended.