Be detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being held or kept in custody, often by law enforcement or authorities. Example: "The suspect was instructed to be detained until further investigation could be conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A prisoner detainable under the laws of war can be detained.

The New York Times

He might be detained without official explanation.

The New York Times

And he could be detained".

The New York Times

Likely he would be detained.

The New Yorker

Still, reporters shouldn't be detained willy-nilly.

The New York Times

Children continued to be detained for more than 72 hours.

Independent

Both are believed to be detained in Beijing.

The New York Times

Mrs. Ridley knows how it feels to be detained.

The New York Times

Whenever possible, torture survivors should not be detained.

The New York Times

Under-18s should not be detained in this way.

The Guardian

Families with children will no longer be detained while their cases are heard.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be detained", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the detaining and the reason behind it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be detained" when active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "He will be detained by the police", consider "The police will detain him" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be detained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action of being held or kept in custody. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. Examples show it's often used to express possibility or obligation related to being held by authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be detained" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It primarily functions to describe the state of someone being held in custody or prevented from proceeding. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, reflecting its relevance to legal and security-related reporting. When using "be detained", ensure clarity about the detaining authority and reason. While alternatives like "be held in custody" or "be kept in detention" exist, "be detained" maintains a specific connotation related to official holding, according to the analyzed examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be held in custody

Focuses specifically on the legal aspect of being held by law enforcement.

Be kept in detention

Emphasizes the state of being held in a detention facility.

Be taken into custody

Highlights the action of being taken by authorities.

Be apprehended

Focuses on the act of being caught and taken into custody.

Be confined

Implies restriction of movement to a specific area.

Be impounded

Often used when physical property is seized, but can apply to people in specific contexts.

Be interned

Suggests confinement during wartime or other periods of conflict.

Be held against one's will

Emphasizes the lack of consent in being detained.

Be forced to stay

Highlights the element of coercion in remaining in a place.

Be kept back

Implies being prevented from proceeding or advancing.

FAQs

How is "be detained" used in a sentence?

"Be detained" indicates that someone is being held or kept in custody, often by law enforcement. Example: "The suspect was instructed to be detained until further investigation could be conducted."

What are some alternatives to "be detained"?

You can use alternatives like "be held in custody", "be kept in detention", or "be taken into custody" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "be detained" or "being detained"?

Both are correct but used in different contexts. "Be detained" is often used in future or conditional statements, while "being detained" describes an ongoing action or state. Example: "He might be detained" vs "He is currently being detained".

What's the difference between "be detained" and "be arrested"?

"Be arrested" specifically implies a formal charge and legal process, whereas "be detained" can refer to a temporary holding for questioning or investigation without a formal charge.