in charge of + noun
Showing responsibility or control
In charge of identifies the thing or people someone manages.
He is in charge of customer support.
In charge or of charge?
In charge is a fixed expression meaning responsible or in control. Of charge is not normally used alone in modern English.
Quick answer
How to use in charge and of charge
Use in charge to say that someone controls or manages something. The full pattern is usually in charge of plus a person, team, or activity. Of charge is not a standard standalone expression, though it appears inside phrases such as free of charge.
Maria is in charge of the project.
Who is in charge here?
The service is provided free of charge.
Who is in charge here?
The service is provided free of charge.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
person in charge
Referring to the responsible person
The phrase can follow a noun to identify authority.
Please speak to the person in charge.
free of charge
Talking about cost
Of charge appears in the fixed phrase free of charge.
The repairs were completed free of charge.
charge for + service
Talking about payment
Charge for is used when discussing fees or prices.
The company does not charge for delivery.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
in charge
Ella is in charge of the event.
Responsible for or controlling something.
of charge
This combination is not normally used alone.
It mainly appears inside fixed expressions such as free of charge.
in charge of
He is in charge of the sales team.
Shows what someone controls or manages.
free of charge
Children can enter free of charge.
Without payment or cost.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of charge as a standalone phrase
English does not normally use of charge by itself.
✕ She is of charge of the office. ✓ She is in charge of the office.Omitting of after in charge
Use of before the thing being managed.
✕ He is in charge the schedule. ✓ He is in charge of the schedule.Confusing charge with cost expressions
Free of charge is fixed and cannot be shortened to of charge.
✕ The meal was of charge. ✓ The meal was free of charge.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. Who is ___ charge of the meeting?
2. The museum entry is free ___ charge.
3. She is in charge ___ training new staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I say in charge without of?
Yes. It can stand alone when the responsibility is already understood, as in Who is in charge?
Is of charge ever correct?
Only inside fixed expressions such as free of charge.
What is the difference between in charge of and responsible for?
Both can describe responsibility, but in charge of often suggests authority or control over people or activities.
Related preposition guides
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