be confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is taken away or seized, often by authority, such as in legal or regulatory situations. Example: "Any items found to be illegal will be confiscated by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It must be confiscated.

The Economist

Toy guns will be confiscated.

The New York Times

"Their equipment needs to be confiscated.

The Guardian

Signs with long handles will be confiscated.

The New York Times

They should, and probably will, be confiscated.

The Guardian - Sport

It could be confiscated; no one knows".

The New York Times - Magazine

He told us the piece was going to be confiscated.

The New York Times

And, of course, the bike must be confiscated.

The New York Times

He was terrified that his collection would be confiscated.

The New Yorker

Illegal weapons held by Israeli settlers should also be confiscated.

The New York Times

In many other airports, the item would be confiscated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “be confiscated” when referring to actions by authorities, such as law enforcement or school officials, to imply legitimacy.

Common error

Avoid using "be confiscated" in casual conversation or informal writing where a simpler term like "taken" or "removed" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be confiscated" functions as a passive verb, indicating that an object is the recipient of an action. It implies that something is being taken away by an authority, as seen in Ludwig's examples where items are confiscated by teachers, customs officials, or law enforcement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be confiscated" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase that signifies the act of something being taken away by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, particularly in formal contexts like news reports, legal documents, and official regulations. While alternatives like "be seized" or "be taken away" exist, "be confiscated" carries a specific connotation of official action and should be used judiciously in informal settings. Understanding the context and intended audience is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be taken away

A more general term for having something removed.

be seized

Implies a sudden or forceful taking, often by legal authority.

be seized and held

Emphasizes both the act of taking and the continued possession.

be forfeited

Means losing something as a penalty for wrongdoing.

be impounded

Specifically refers to taking something into legal custody, like a vehicle or document.

be appropriated

Suggests taking possession of something, often for public use or a specific purpose.

be expropriated

Typically refers to the government taking private property for public use, often with compensation.

be commandeered

Refers to taking control of something, often temporarily, for military or public service.

be requisitioned

Implies a formal demand for something, often during wartime or an emergency.

be possessed

Implies acquiring something, often with a sense of ownership or control, sometimes forcefully.

FAQs

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

You can use "be confiscated" to indicate that something is taken away by an authority, such as "Illegal items will "be confiscated" by customs officials" or "Cell phones may "be confiscated" during the exam".

What are some alternatives to saying "be confiscated"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "be seized", "be impounded", or "be taken away" as alternatives to "be confiscated".

Is it appropriate to use "be confiscated" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "be confiscated" is more suited for formal or official contexts. In informal settings, using simpler terms like "be taken" or "be removed" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "be confiscated" and "be seized"?

"Be confiscated" often implies a legal or authoritative basis for the taking, while "be seized" can refer to a more general or forceful taking, not necessarily by an official authority. The terms are often interchangeable but "be confiscated" carries a stronger connotation of official action.