a fugitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fugitive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is fleeing from law enforcement or is in hiding to avoid arrest. Example: "The police are searching for a fugitive who escaped from custody last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Sonmez remains a fugitive).

The New Yorker

Mr. Smyth became a fugitive.

The New York Times

Mr Kony remains a fugitive.

The Economist

Mr. Casavant is a fugitive.

The New York Times

A fugitive and a criminal.

The New Yorker

He remains a fugitive.

The New York Times

He jumped bail and became a fugitive.

The New York Times

To others, he was a fugitive.

The New York Times

Greig is charged with harboring a fugitive.

Independent

The federal government considered him a fugitive.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

[Answer C] He's on the run--a fugitive.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases like "on the run" or "fleeing justice" for stylistic variation and to provide more specific connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "a fugitive" when referring to someone who is merely missing or has left a situation voluntarily. The term specifically implies an attempt to evade law enforcement or legal consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fugitive" functions primarily as a noun phrase complement, describing the state or condition of a person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to someone escaping or avoiding law enforcement. It is a descriptive label applied to an individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fugitive" is a phrase used to describe someone evading law enforcement, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is that of a noun phrase complement, often used in a neutral register, primarily within news and media contexts. Best practices involve ensuring the context accurately reflects an attempt to avoid legal capture, and avoiding its use for those merely missing or voluntarily absent. Alternatives include "on the run" or "fleeing justice", offering stylistic variations for more precise connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeing justice

Specifically denotes escaping legal consequences.

on the run

Focuses on the act of fleeing, emphasizing movement and evasion.

evading capture

Emphasizes the active attempt to avoid being caught.

eluding authorities

Specifically describes avoiding law enforcement.

wanted by the police

Highlights the legal aspect of being sought after by law enforcement.

a person in flight

A more formal way to describe someone who is running away.

at large

Implies freedom from captivity or confinement, often used in a legal context.

in hiding

Highlights the act of concealing oneself to avoid detection.

a runaway

Suggests a broader escape, not necessarily from legal authorities.

gone to ground

An idiomatic expression indicating a retreat into secrecy.

FAQs

How is "a fugitive" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "a fugitive" is used to describe someone who is running from the law. For example, "The police are searching for "a fugitive" who escaped from prison."

What are some alternatives to saying "a fugitive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "on the run", "wanted by the police", or "fleeing justice".

Is it correct to say someone is "a fugitive from justice"?

Yes, "a fugitive from justice" is a correct and common way to describe someone who is avoiding legal authorities.

What's the difference between "a fugitive" and "an escapee"?

While both terms imply someone has left a place or situation, ""a fugitive"" specifically refers to someone running from the law, whereas "an escapee" simply means someone has escaped, often from confinement but not necessarily from legal authorities.