I was apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is taken into custody or detained by law enforcement. Example: "After the chase, I was apprehended by the police and taken to the station for questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Until, of course, I was apprehended by the new owners," he said.

The New York Times

One of the fruits of this co-operation was my handover to the Libyan authorities in 2004 by CIA agents after I was apprehended in Thailand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The building is now the administrative HQ of Colombia's public prosecutors, and I was apprehended in the street outside as I took photos.

The Guardian

"When I was apprehended I told him, the border patrol officer, the reasons I left my country were because I was raped and that they are threatening me," the mother told the Guardian in a phone interview from a family detention center in Karnes County, Texas.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Bland: Why am I being apprehended?

Huffington Post

I get billed if I'm apprehended.

Vice

That the question is not whether I'm living a good life, but whether I'm doing well toward other people, whether I'm apprehending the sacredness of someone who is perhaps very unlike me.

The Guardian - Books

This September, three months after Ernesto was apprehended, I met him in the dusty California town of Mendota.

Vice

On Saturday morning, waiting for a seat at my favorite breakfast spot in Watertown (the Deluxe Town Diner, which is a few blocks from where the suspect was apprehended), I chatted with others around me--runners who had been stopped at the 25 mile marker and who lived in Watertown.

Huffington Post

"I'm thankful that he was apprehended and arrested, but we can't celebrate," her father, Bernie Melvin, said Saturday.

Los Angeles Times

I think -- well, I think maybe the -- you mean the horse is out of the barn, but there's no doubt I think when this fellow was apprehended, he was a foreign national, not an American citizen engaged in an act of terrorism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was apprehended" when you want to convey a sense of formality or detachment from the action of being caught. It's suitable for official reports or narratives where precise language is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "I was apprehended" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "I was caught" or "I got arrested" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was apprehended" functions as a statement describing a past event where the speaker was taken into custody or caught. It employs the passive voice, shifting focus from the actor (the one doing the apprehending) to the recipient of the action (the speaker). According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was apprehended" is a grammatically sound construction used to describe being taken into custody or caught. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not as common as alternatives like "I was caught" or "I was arrested", it conveys a sense of formality and detachment, making it suitable for official reports and narratives. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's best to avoid overuse in casual settings where simpler language is preferred. To reiterate, its communicative goal is to inform someone of past events where the speaker was caught.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was caught

Uses a more common and less formal verb to indicate being seized.

I was arrested

Specifically indicates legal detainment by authorities.

I was seized

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the detainment.

I was detained

Indicates a temporary holding, often for questioning.

I was taken into custody

A more formal way of saying someone was arrested or detained.

I was picked up

An informal way to express being apprehended.

I was taken in

Similar to 'picked up' but slightly more formal.

I got nabbed

A very informal and colloquial way to say 'I was apprehended'.

I was captured

Suggests being taken as a prisoner, often in a conflict situation.

I faced arrest

Focuses on the legal process initiated by the apprehension.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "I was apprehended"?

A more common alternative is "I was caught", which is less formal and more widely understood in everyday conversation.

Is "I was apprehended" the same as "I was arrested"?

While similar, "I was arrested" specifically implies legal detainment by authorities, whereas "I was apprehended" can refer to being seized or caught in a more general sense.

When is it appropriate to use "I was apprehended"?

It's appropriate to use "I was apprehended" in formal contexts, such as official reports or legal narratives, where a precise and somewhat detached tone is desired.

What's the difference between "I was apprehended" and "I was detained"?

"I was detained" suggests a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation, while "I was apprehended" implies a more definitive taking into custody, though not necessarily a formal arrest.