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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?
  

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.

— CSnyder

  • 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.
  • , victims have no legal authority to drop criminal charges against an alleged offender.
  • Depending on the crime, the police and/or the prosecutors might comply with the victim's wishes, but they can proceed in a prosecution regardless of the victim's desires.
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1 Answers
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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
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