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Prepositions after charge

Charge with or charge for?

Charge with and charge for have different meanings. One is mainly legal, and the other relates to prices and payments.

Quick answer

What is the difference between charge with and charge for?

Charge someone with something is used in legal contexts for accusations. Charge someone for something means ask for payment.

Police charged him with fraud.
The hotel charged us for breakfast.
They charged admission for the event.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
charge someone with + crime

Making a legal accusation

Use charge with in legal contexts when accusing someone officially.

The court charged the suspect with theft.
2
charge someone for + service/product

Asking for payment

Use charge for to mention what payment is requested for.

The mechanic charged me for the repairs.
3
charge + amount

Stating a price directly

Charge can take an amount without a preposition.

They charged $20 for parking.
4
charge admission for + event

Taking payment for entry

This pattern is common for tickets, entry, and services.

The museum charges admission for special exhibitions.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
charge with
She was charged with assault.
Legal accusation.
charge for
The shop charged extra for delivery.
Requesting payment for something.
charge someone
They charged me twice.
Taking payment directly from someone.
in charge of
He is in charge of the project.
Different expression meaning responsible for.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using with for prices

With is not used for payment meanings.

✕ They charged us with drinks. ✓ They charged us for drinks.

Using for in legal accusations

Legal accusations use with.

✕ She was charged for robbery. ✓ She was charged with robbery.

Omitting the object after charge for

Charge for should mention the service or item.

✕ The company charged for. ✓ The company charged for delivery.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The police charged him ___ tax evasion.
2. The restaurant charged us ___ bottled water.
3. They charged $50 ___ the consultation.

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Frequently asked questions

Can charge with mean responsibility?

Not usually. In charge of is the expression for responsibility.

Is charge for only about money?

Yes, it refers to asking for payment or setting a price.

Can charge be used without a preposition?

Yes. You can say a company charged $10 or charged customers directly.

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