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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
be captured
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"be captured" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the passive form of the verb "capture" and can be used in various contexts, particularly when describing an action being done to someone or something. Example: The enemy soldiers were captured by the courageous army.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
This executor must be captured.
News & Media
Only pawns can be captured en passant.
Encyclopedias
But regulatory reform, too, can be captured.
News & Media
How could an environment map be captured?
Academia
Will Osama bin Laden be captured?
News & Media
"The ANC refuses to be captured.
News & Media
How would that entity not be captured?
News & Media
These must also be captured and understood.
News & Media
The bridge must be captured before enemy reinforcements arrived.
Academia
How might nuanced decisions that recognize ambiguity be captured?
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
The grooms-to-be captured the magical moment on Instagram. .
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "be captured", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the capturing. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "be captured" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The data must be captured by the system", consider "The system must capture the data".
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "be captured" functions primarily as a passive verb construction. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes an action being done to someone or something, rather than an action being performed by them. This passive construction allows the speaker to emphasize the recipient of the action.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Academia
33%
Science
33%
Less common in
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "be captured" is a versatile passive verb phrase frequently used across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it correctly represents an action being done to someone or something and appears across a number of contexts. Its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific sources underscores its broad applicability and grammatical correctness. While it's essential to ensure the passive voice is appropriate for the intended emphasis, the phrase "be captured" remains a common and grammatically sound choice for conveying ideas of apprehension, recording, and control. Keep in mind to be clear on who or what is capturing the entity to avoid ambiguity in the text.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
be caught
Simple and direct synonym for being captured.
be apprehended
Focuses specifically on the act of being caught by authorities.
be seized
Emphasizes a forceful or sudden taking of control.
fall into enemy hands
Specifically refers to being captured by an enemy force.
be recorded
Highlights the action of documenting or preserving something.
be taken
A more general term for being acquired or obtained.
be fascinated
Highlights the aspect of capturing someone's interest or curiosity.
be influenced
Indicates being affected or controlled by an external force.
be enchanted
Implies being captured by beauty or charm.
be enthralled
Focuses on capturing attention and fascination.
FAQs
How can I use "be captured" in a sentence?
You can use "be captured" to describe someone or something being taken or recorded, for example, "The suspect must be captured" or "The image will be captured by the camera".
What does "be captured" mean?
"Be captured" generally means to be taken prisoner, caught, or recorded in some way. The specific meaning depends on the context.
What can I say instead of "be captured"?
Alternatives include "be apprehended", "be seized", or "be recorded", depending on the intended meaning.
Is it better to use active or passive voice with "capture"?
The choice depends on the context. Passive voice ("be captured") is useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the recipient of the action. Active voice (e.g., "The police captured the suspect") is more direct and emphasizes the actor.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested