apprehend a thief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apprehend a thief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to law enforcement or crime, specifically when discussing the act of capturing or arresting someone who has committed theft. Example: "The police were able to apprehend a thief who had been stealing from local shops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In his début appearance, he has the chance to apprehend a thief, and balks; the thief later murders his uncle.

The New Yorker

In his début appearance, he has the chance to apprehend a thief, and balks; the thief later murders… A few years ago, I sat down for a meeting with some executives at a movie studio that I will call Thinkscope Visioncloud.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He asked them for help as a security officer Shaun Rigby apprehended a thief – named Roy Fagan – in the road after he had fled the shop.

Independent

So strictly was the law applied that anyone who apprehended a thief with his property was not allowed to recover it unless the miscreant and the stolen goods were presented to the bailiff.

Wikipedia

Never attempt to apprehend a drug dealer yourself.

WikiHow

We don't simply apprehend an object.

SEP

The day before, at around 3 30 PM, Andrew Vlasaty, Erik Skoglund, and Adam Riddick used a GPS-tracking app to apprehend car thief who was on a multi-state crime spree that included murdering a pawn shop clerk and raping a 15-year-old girl.

Vice

I want to ask the police to apprehend the "thief".

The New York Times - Magazine

James apprehends a suspect.

Vice

You are a thief!

The New Yorker

"SET a thief to catch a thief".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about law enforcement or security scenarios, use "apprehend a thief" to add a formal tone. For less formal contexts, consider using "catch a thief".

Common error

Avoid using "apprehend a thief" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Choose a simpler alternative like "catch" or "nab".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apprehend a thief" functions as a verb phrase, where "apprehend" acts as the verb and "a thief" serves as the direct object. It describes the action of capturing someone who has committed theft. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apprehend a thief" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. It conveys the act of capturing or arresting a thief, although it tends to lean toward a formal register. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is accurate and appropriate for describing law enforcement actions. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "catch a thief" may be more suitable. The phrase functions as a verb phrase with 'apprehend' acting as the verb, and the related terms vary in formality and implication, offering writers choices that are contextually appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catch a thief

More common and general term for capturing a thief.

arrest a thief

Implies official law enforcement involvement in capturing a thief.

capture a thief

Similar to "catch a thief" but can imply a more strategic or planned effort.

nab a thief

More informal and colloquial way to say "apprehend a thief".

seize a thief

Implies a more forceful or immediate action in capturing a thief.

detain a thief

Suggests temporarily holding a thief, often before formal arrest.

take a thief into custody

A formal and legalistic way to describe the act of apprehending a thief.

bring a thief to justice

Focuses on the legal consequences of apprehending a thief.

catch the perpetrator

A more general term that refers to apprehending anyone committing a crime, including theft.

collar a thief

A slang term, primarily British, for apprehending someone.

FAQs

What does "apprehend a thief" mean?

The phrase "apprehend a thief" means to capture or arrest someone who has committed theft. It's a formal way of saying you've caught a thief.

How to use "apprehend a thief" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like, "The security guard was able to "apprehend a thief" attempting to steal merchandise from the store", or "Police managed to "apprehend a thief" after a high-speed chase".

What are some synonyms for "apprehend a thief"?

Some synonyms include "catch a thief", "arrest a thief", and "capture a thief". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is "apprehend a thief" formal or informal?

The phrase "apprehend a thief" is considered relatively formal. In less formal situations, it's better to use synonyms like "catch a thief" or "nab a thief".