ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in charge of sb/sth

prep. phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to be the person who is responsible for someone or something, or the person who has control over them.

prep. phr.. occupying a position of authority or responsibility over a person, group, or task; functioning as the primary supervisor or manager.


SIMPLE

Who is in charge of this project?

CONTEXTUAL

She was put in charge of the marketing department after the previous manager retired.

COMPLEX

The lieutenant remained in charge of the local garrison while the commanding officer coordinated the logistics of the broader regional offensive.

Usage

often follows the verb 'to be' or 'to put someone'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'responsible for', which can mean 'caused something' (e.g., 'he was responsible for the accident'), whereas 'in charge of' always implies a role of authority.

Pitfall

He is in the charge of the team.He is in charge of the team.do not use 'the' before 'charge' in this specific phrase; 'in the charge of' means being cared for by someone else.

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