What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
charged
Example
The police charged him with theft after finding evidence at the scene. [charged: past tense]
Example
She was charged with fraud and had to appear in court. [charged: verb]
accused
Example
The accused pleaded not guilty during the trial. [accused: noun]
Example
He was accused of cheating on the exam by his classmates. [accused: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accused is more commonly used than charged in everyday language. It is a more general term that can be used in various situations where someone is alleged to have committed a crime or done something wrong. On the other hand, charged is more specific and is mainly used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between charged and accused?
Both charged and accused are formal terms that are commonly used in legal proceedings. However, charged is more technical and is primarily used in legal discussions, while accused can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
