I have seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you have taken control or possession of something, often in a legal or metaphorical context. Example: "I have seized the opportunity to advance my career by taking on new challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I have taken what you have failed to take and I have seized what you could never get.

The New Yorker

I have seized opportunities, enjoyed the support and encouragement of others and for that I am grateful.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have seized this opportunity with gusto.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Fortunately," he wrote, "the knife I had seized had been dull".

The New York Times

My sister Nancy would not have approved of this playful moment, which I had seized upon as a sign that our parents still liked each other after all.

The New Yorker

In 1988 Sir Denis Forman wrote: "Ever since I had seen [the film] Grass (1925), I had seized the idea that, in film, we had a means of documenting and capturing a picture of the tribal societies that were bound soon to disappear; so by 1970 I was ready to support wholeheartedly an enterprise that reflected a genuine interest in anthropology, coupled with the professional abilities to make films".

The Guardian

For every time Simon has nagged about carb counts, I've seized draconian control over our grocery list and what we put in our mouths.

Huffington Post

If I'd been competing myself I'm sure I'd have seized upon the 'actor + dilemma' combination (as many did) and tried to bring 'doctor' in, with oblique reference to Shaw's play.

The Guardian

Had I been thinking about it, I would have seized the chance to have a Michael Hughes moment.

The Guardian

I should have seized some opportunities; had some break-point opportunities but I didn't convert them.

The Guardian - Sport

"I should have seized that opportunity, in the playoff situation, to call him in the next day and tell him about showing his speed off every time he was running," Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have seized" to convey a sense of decisive action and control. It is suitable when describing taking advantage of opportunities or forcefully acquiring something.

Common error

Avoid using "I have seized" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or formal in contexts where simpler alternatives like "I took" or "I got" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have seized" functions as a declarative statement indicating the speaker's successful act of taking possession or control of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness. The Examples show various contexts where this phrase is used to convey decisive action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I have seized" is grammatically correct and effectively communicates taking control or possession of something, as validated by Ludwig. While less frequent in everyday conversation, this phrase finds its niche in more formal contexts, particularly in news and media. It's a powerful way to express decisive action and strategic advantage. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, emphasizing its appropriateness for conveying a sense of deliberate and forceful acquisition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have taken possession of

This alternative emphasizes the act of acquiring ownership or control.

I have captured

This suggests gaining control, often through force or strategic maneuvering.

I have commandeered

Implies taking control of something, especially for military or public use.

I have secured

Highlights the act of making something safe and under one's control.

I have grasped

Emphasizes understanding and taking hold of an opportunity or concept.

I have appropriated

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

I have laid hold of

Indicates taking physical or metaphorical hold of something.

I have laid claim to

This signifies asserting ownership or a right to something.

I have annexed

Refers to incorporating territory or property into one's own.

I have clutched

Indicates holding something tightly, often out of fear or desperation.

FAQs

What does "I have seized" mean?

The phrase "I have seized" means that you have taken control or possession of something, often implying a deliberate or forceful action. It can refer to both physical objects and abstract concepts like opportunities.

What can I say instead of "I have seized"?

You can use alternatives like "I have taken", "I have captured", or "I have grasped" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I have seized"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a deliberate and often forceful action of taking control or possession, especially when describing opportunities or strategic advantages.

Is "I have seized" formal or informal?

The phrase "I have seized" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "I took" or "I got". Its formality makes it suitable for professional writing or when you want to add emphasis.