这两个动词均有“指控、谴责”之意。
accuse :普通用词,正式或非正式场合,私人或法律上均可用。被指控的情节可轻可重。常与of连用。
- to accuse sb of murder/theft
控告某人谋杀 / 盗窃 - The government was accused of incompetence.
政府被指责无能。
charge :常与accuse换用,但charge多指较严重的错误或罪行,而且往往向法庭提出正式起诉。
- criminal charges
刑事指控 - a murder/an assault charge
谋杀罪的 / 侵犯人身罪的指控 - He will be sent back to England to face a charge of (= to be on trial for) armed robbery.
他将被遣返回英格兰面临持械抢劫罪的指控。