SanFran Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Charges
Context is criminal activity and police:
"The victim pressed charges against the burglar. "
"The victim pressed a charge against the burglar. "
"The victim dropped the charges against the burglar. "
"The victim pressed the charge against the burglar. "
Should the singular or plural versions be used?
"The victim pressed charges against the burglar. "
"The victim pressed a charge against the burglar. "
"The victim dropped the charges against the burglar. "
"The victim pressed the charge against the burglar. "
Should the singular or plural versions be used?
Top answer
The plural is used even when there is only one "charge" being discussed, except when the charge is named. In both of your sentences, the plural would be used. However, if we change the second sentence only slightly, to "The victim dropped the trespassing charge against the burglar", the singular is used.
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The plural is used even when there is only one "charge" being discussed, except when the charge is named. In both of your sentences, the plural would be used. However, if we change the second sentence only slightly, to "The victim dropped the trespassing charge against the burglar", the singular is used.
As an aside, in the U.S., victims have no legal authority to drop criminal ch
As an aside, in the U.S., victims have no legal authority to drop criminal ch
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