allowed to detain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to detain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to legal authority or permission to hold someone in custody. Example: "The officer was allowed to detain the suspect for further questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We're allowed to detain them".

The New York Times

"They [the Concerned Citizens] are not allowed to detain people or conduct raids," he told me.

The Guardian

The government isn't allowed to detain children in jails, so they are sent to other detention facilities.

The Washington Post

Afghan officials counter that they are not legally allowed to detain people suspected of being insurgents without enough evidence to prosecute them, even if the Americans say they are too dangerous to release.

The New York Times

The Lib Dems have also said they will look with "great interest" at a suggestion by Anderson that parliament should reassess whether police should be allowed to detain individuals if they have no suspicions about their activity.

The Guardian

Senior Lib Dem sources said they were looking "with great interest" at the call by Anderson for parliament to reassess whether police should be allowed to detain individuals if they have no suspicions about their activity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In particular, they highlighted the policy of stop and search, where officers are allowed to temporarily detain someone and search them if violence or weapons are suspected.

BBC

The 30-year-old state of emergency that has allowed it to detain and censor all critics must end.

The New York Times

They were at times granted emergency powers that allowed them to detain suspects for longer periods for questioning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Court allowed police to detain the suspect until the 2 August.

BBC

It allowed officers to detain anyone for searches until 06:55 GMT on Monday.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to detain", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission or authorization. For instance, specify the law, regulation, or individual granting the allowance.

Common error

Avoid using "allowed to detain" without specifying who is doing the allowing. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of writing "They are allowed to detain", clarify it to "The police are allowed to detain suspects".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to detain" functions as a verbal phrase expressing permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allowed to detain" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that conveys permission or authorization to hold someone in custody. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often referring to legal or official procedures. While it is considered neutral in tone, it is essential to specify who grants the permission to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives such as "permitted to detain" or "authorized to detain" for a more formal tone. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "allowed to detain" in their writing, ensuring clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to detain

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for "allowed", indicating official consent.

authorized to detain

Implies a legal or official authorization to hold someone.

entitled to detain

Suggests a right or legal basis for detaining someone.

has the right to detain

Emphasizes the legal right or power to detain.

empowered to detain

Highlights the granting of power or authority to detain.

can legally detain

Focuses on the legality of the detention.

has permission to detain

Directly states that permission has been granted.

able to hold in custody

Rephrases detain using simpler terms, focusing on the act of holding.

have the power to hold

Focuses on the power or ability to detain.

given leave to detain

Uses "leave" as a more formal term for permission.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed to detain" in a sentence?

You can use "allowed to detain" to indicate that someone has permission or authority to hold a person in custody, as in "The security guards are "allowed to detain" individuals suspected of shoplifting".

What is a more formal way to say "allowed to detain"?

A more formal way to express "allowed to detain" is "authorized to detain", which implies official or legal permission.

Is there a difference between "allowed to detain" and "required to detain"?

Yes, "allowed to detain" means someone has permission to hold someone in custody, while "required to detain" means they have a duty or obligation to do so. The first is permissive, the second is mandatory.

What are some synonyms for "allowed to detain"?

Some synonyms for "allowed to detain" include "permitted to detain", "empowered to detain", and "has the right to detain".