Cool MateCharge vs Indictment
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Charge
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Indictment
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)C1noun
Most formal: IndictmentMost common: Charge
| Charge | Indictment | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃɑːdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃɑːrdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To request payment for something. | A formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. |
| Example | I need to charge my phone because the battery is low. | The grand jury returned an indictment against the suspect for fraud. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | heavy, high, nominal, impose, introduce, levy, at a charge, for a charge, charge for, free of charge, overall, personal, sole, have, take, place somebody in, in charge (of somebody/something), in somebody’s charge, under somebody’s charge, grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), grave, heavy, serious, bring, file, lay, allege something, sheet, on a/the charge, without charge, charge against, bring charges (against somebody), prefer charges (against somebody), press charges (against somebody), baton, cavalry, lead | devastating, powerful, damning, criminal, felony, federal, bring, file, issue, accuse somebody of something, allege something, charge (somebody/something with something), in a/the indictment, on indictment, indictment against, criminal, felony, federal, bring, file, issue, accuse somebody of something, allege something, charge (somebody/something with something), in a/the indictment, on indictment, indictment against |
| Antonyms | credit, refund | acquittal, exoneration, dismissal |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'charges' when referring to multiple items., Using 'charge' as a noun incorrectly in casual conversations instead of using 'billing'., Mistaking 'charge' for 'change' in payment contexts. | Confused with 'indict' (the verb form)., Using 'indictment' in informal settings., Mistaking it for a synonym of 'punishment' instead of 'accusation'. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to billing or pricing services. Can be formal in business and informal when referring to casual payments between friends. Avoid in situations where a more specific term is appropriate. | Used mainly in legal contexts. Appropriate in court settings, legal documents, or professional discussions about crime. Avoid in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Charge vs Indictment
What's the difference between Charge and Indictment?
Charge: To request payment for something. Indictment: A formal accusation that someone has committed a crime.
Which is more formal: Charge and Indictment?
Indictment is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Charge and Indictment?
Charge is the most common in everyday English.
Are Charge and Indictment the same CEFR level?
Charge: B1, Indictment: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Charge and Indictment interchangeably?
Not always. Charge and Indictment 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.