Meaning & use
charged language
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Meanings
noununcountable
Words or phrases that strongly suggest an emotional or political attitude and are likely to cause strong reactions.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun; it does not take 'a' or a plural form.
Patterns
- use charged language
- charged language about something
The article was criticized for using charged language about the protests.
In a formal essay, avoid charged language that might upset your readers.
The politician's speech was full of charged language designed to stir up anger.
noununcountable
A style of speaking or writing that deliberately uses strong, provocative words to influence opinions.
Grammar: Often appears in phrases like 'the use of charged language' or 'charged language in media'.
Patterns
- the use of charged language
- charged language in something
The debate became heated because both sides resorted to charged language.
Teachers should explain how charged language can shape public opinion.
The report avoided charged language and stuck to neutral facts.
Common combinations
- emotionally charged language
- The editorial used emotionally charged language to describe the crisis.
- politically charged language
- Politically charged language can divide an audience.
- avoid charged language
- In academic writing, it is wise to avoid charged language.
- use charged language
- The speaker used charged language to rally the crowd.
Synonyms and how they differ
- loaded language
- Very similar, but 'loaded language' often emphasizes hidden bias or manipulation, while 'charged language' focuses on emotional force.
- inflammatory language
- Stronger; it suggests the words are meant to provoke anger or violence, whereas 'charged language' can be simply emotional.
- emotive language
- Focuses on arousing feelings rather than political or controversial charge; 'charged language' often implies controversy.
Opposites
Commonly confused: charged language or charged?
charged language vs charged
As an adjective, 'charged' can mean 'full of emotion' (e.g., a charged atmosphere) or 'accused of a crime' (e.g., charged with theft). 'Charged language' is a fixed phrase meaning emotionally provocative words.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'charged language' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly uses 'charged language' as an uncountable noun meaning emotionally provocative words. Option 1 confuses it with the verb 'charge' (accuse). Option 2 wrongly adds 'a' before an uncountable noun. Option 3 treats it as a physical object, which is incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “charged language”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.