Cool MateAccuse vs Blame vs Charge them with what
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accuse
Blame
Charge them with what
| Accuse | Blame | Charge them with what | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkjuːz/","/əˈkjuːzɪz/","/əˈkjuːzd/","/əˈkjuːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkjuːz/","/əˈkjuːzɪz/","/əˈkjuːzd/","/əˈkjuːzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/bleɪm/","/bleɪmz/","/bleɪmd/","/ˈbleɪmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bleɪm/","/bleɪmz/","/bleɪmd/","/ˈbleɪmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tʃɑːdʒ ðɛm wɪð wɒt//🇺🇸 //tʃɑrdʒ ðɛm wɪð wʌt// |
| Meaning | To say someone did something wrong. | To say someone is responsible for something bad. | Ask for what they did wrong or their responsibility |
| Example | He decided to accuse his colleague of taking credit for his work. | It's easy to blame others when things go wrong. | The lawyer decided to charge them with what had happened at the scene. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | falsely, unjustly, wrongfully, cannot, of, stand accused of | unfairly, unjustly, partly, can’t, don’t, can hardly, for, on, be to blame (for something), be widely blamed for something | charge with a crime, charge with an offense, charge with misconduct |
| Antonyms | defend, absolve, praise | praise, commend, exonerate | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'accuse' with 'blame'—'accuse' is more formal., Omitting 'of' after 'accuse'—correct form is 'accuse someone of something'., Using 'accuse' without an object—it's always used with someone or something. | 'Blame' can be used without an object, but it's clearer with one (e.g., 'She blames him')., Confused with 'accuse' - 'blaming' doesn’t always imply wrongdoing, while 'accusing' does., Some learners forget to use the preposition 'for' after 'blame' when stating the cause. | Omitting 'with' when stating the charge., Using 'them' incorrectly in different contexts., Confusing 'charge' with 'accuse' although they are related. |
| Usage notes | Use 'accuse' in serious contexts where someone is held responsible for a wrongdoing. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing serious topics. | Use 'blame' when pointing to responsibility, often in a negative context. Avoid in overly formal situations; 'attribute' might be better there. | Used in legal contexts or when assigning blame. Neutral to formal tone; may not be suitable for casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accuse vs Blame vs Charge them with what
What's the difference between Accuse, Blame, and Charge them with what?
Accuse: To say someone did something wrong. Blame: To say someone is responsible for something bad. Charge them with what: Ask for what they did wrong or their responsibility
Which is more common: Accuse, Blame, and Charge them with what?
Blame is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Accuse: He decided to accuse his colleague of taking credit for his work. Blame: It's easy to blame others when things go wrong. Charge them with what: The lawyer decided to charge them with what had happened at the scene.
Can I use Accuse, Blame, and Charge them with what interchangeably?
Not always. Accuse, Blame, and Charge them with what are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.