be arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be arrested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing legal situations where someone is taken into custody by law enforcement. Example: "If you continue to break the law, you may be arrested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be arrested!

The New Yorker

Never be arrested 24.

Independent

They should be arrested".

The New York Times

Could Sepp Blatter be arrested?

Independent

I expected to be arrested.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will I be arrested, too?

The New York Times

A celebrity will be arrested.

The New Yorker

Would she be arrested?

The Guardian - Books

"He can't be arrested".

The New York Times

Could I be arrested?

The New York Times

You will be arrested".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be arrested", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the arresting, even if it's implied (e.g., "He will "be arrested" by the police" or "She fears she will "be arrested"").

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by making sure the sentence clearly identifies the agent of the arrest. For example, instead of "Mistakes were made, and someone will "be arrested"," specify who will make the arrest: "Mistakes were made, and the responsible parties will "be arrested" by the authorities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be arrested" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone is the recipient of the action of arrest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be arrested" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys the act of being taken into legal custody. As validated by Ludwig AI, this expression is appropriate for various contexts, primarily in news, general information, and scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by indicating the agent responsible for the arrest. Consider alternatives such as "be apprehended" or "be taken into custody" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get arrested

Synonymous; focuses on the action of being taken into custody.

be apprehended

More formal alternative emphasizing capture by authorities.

be taken into custody

A formal, descriptive way of saying someone is arrested.

be detained

Implies temporary holding, which can lead to arrest.

face arrest

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of being arrested.

risk arrest

Focuses on the potential consequences that could lead to arrest.

be charged

Indicates that formal charges will accompany or follow the arrest.

be busted

Informal term for being caught and arrested, often drug-related.

be imprisoned

Describes the potential outcome of an arrest: incarceration.

be taken prisoner

Suggests being captured and held, similar to arrest but broader.

FAQs

How can I use "be arrested" in a sentence?

Use "be arrested" to indicate that someone is taken into custody by law enforcement, such as "If you trespass, you will "be arrested"".

What are some alternatives to saying "be arrested"?

Consider using phrases like "get apprehended", "be taken into custody", or "be detained" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "being arrested" instead of "be arrested"?

Both "being arrested" and "be arrested" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Being arrested" is a gerund or present participle form, often used after prepositions or as part of a continuous verb tense. "Be arrested" is the base form used in future tense or after modal verbs like 'will', 'can', or 'should'.

What's the difference between "be arrested" and "be charged"?

"Be arrested" refers to the act of being taken into custody, while "be charged" means being formally accused of a crime. You can "be arrested" without being charged, and you can be charged without initially being arrested (e.g., through a summons).