be apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to being caught or captured, often in legal or law enforcement situations. Example: "The suspect was able to evade capture for several weeks before finally being apprehended by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also must be apprehended.

The New York Times

They have to be apprehended.

The New York Times

The ninth man was expected to be apprehended soon.

The New York Times

Should a man be apprehended for saying, "Hey, baby"?

The Economist

She'd been told by the rangers that he would be apprehended within a few hours.

The New Yorker

Friend Derby, we must haste away Lest we be apprehended and disclos'd.

The New Yorker

It is under this law that returning Jihadis should be apprehended and tried.

Independent

Art is conceived in love and can only be apprehended through love.

The Guardian

"There's really a sense now that you can be apprehended at any time," he said.

The New Yorker

Anyone they found would be "apprehended, detained, and turned back in accordance with our laws".

The Guardian

Of course, some of those responsible for crimes would imagine that they would never be apprehended and brought to justice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be apprehended" when referring to a formal or legal context involving the capture of a person or the understanding of a complex idea. It adds a layer of seriousness and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be apprehended" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "be caught" or "be understood" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be apprehended" primarily functions as a passive verb construction. It is used to indicate that someone or something is the recipient of an action, such as being caught or understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples illustrate its use in legal and cognitive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be apprehended" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, primarily used in the passive voice to denote capture, understanding, or anticipation. Its usage is notably frequent in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, whether it's the forceful action of "be seized" or the legal process of "be arrested". While the phrase is correct, avoid overuse in casual settings to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be captured

Replaces "apprehended" with a more general term for being taken into custody.

be arrested

Specifies the legal process of being taken into custody.

be seized

Emphasizes the forceful taking of someone or something.

be detained

Indicates a temporary holding, often for questioning.

be caught

A more informal term for being discovered or captured.

be understood

Shifts the meaning to comprehension rather than physical capture.

be grasped

Similar to "be understood", but implies a more active effort to comprehend.

be comprehended

A more formal alternative to "be understood".

be conceived

Focuses on the formation of an idea or concept.

be anticipated

Shifts the meaning to expecting or foreseeing something.

FAQs

How to use "be apprehended" in a sentence?

"Be apprehended" is typically used in passive voice constructions, such as "The suspect was able to evade capture for several weeks before finally "being apprehended" by the authorities" or "The complexities of the situation must "be apprehended" to devise an effective solution."

What can I say instead of "be apprehended"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be captured", "be arrested", "be understood", or "be anticipated".

Which is correct, "be apprehended" or "being apprehended"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they serve different functions. "Be apprehended" is often used in future or conditional statements, while "being apprehended" is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "He will "be apprehended" if he attempts to cross the border" versus "He resisted "being apprehended" by the police".

What's the difference between "be apprehended" and "be detained"?

"Be apprehended" generally implies a formal arrest or capture, often with legal implications. "Be detained", on the other hand, suggests a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation, without necessarily leading to formal charges.