be seized upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be seized upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is taken advantage of or utilized, often in a context where an opportunity or idea is recognized and acted upon. Example: "The innovative proposal was quickly be seized upon by the committee, leading to its immediate implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Conservatives have condemned Labour over its handling over the economy under Mr Brown, but any criticism from the UK's closest ally would be seized upon by opponents.

Independent

Mr. O'Neill's comments, however hedged, are sure to be seized upon by opponents of Mr. Bush's policy both at home and abroad.

The New York Times

"Epilepsy" is a Greek word, meaning "to be seized upon", and the illness has long been viewed as evidence of connection between human and spiritual realms.

The Guardian - Books

Tasty facts can be seized upon.

The New York Times - Books

The moment is there to be seized upon.

The New York Times

There is an opportunity here that should be seized upon.

The New Yorker

One was that doing it would be seized upon by anti-American propagandists abroad.

The New Yorker

It could be seized upon by Eurosceptics as a proof of French and German federal ambitions.

Independent

The Dark Room will be seized upon for school reading lists.

The Guardian - Books

Where there is evidence of shortcomings, it should be seized upon with demands for swift improvement.

The Guardian - Opinion

The assessment by the Bank's financial policy committee will be seized upon by the remain side.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be seized upon" to convey the idea that an opportunity, suggestion, or piece of information is quickly and enthusiastically adopted or used, often for strategic advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "be seized upon" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. For example, instead of saying "The opportunity was seized upon by the company", consider "The company seized the opportunity" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be seized upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject (opportunity, idea, information) is acted upon by an implicit agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be seized upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that effectively communicates the quick and enthusiastic adoption or utilization of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, often implying a strategic advantage. While alternatives like "be capitalized on" or "be taken advantage of" exist, "be seized upon" offers a nuanced blend of eagerness and strategic action. Remember to avoid overusing passive voice to maintain a strong and direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be capitalized on

Focuses more on the benefit gained from exploiting an opportunity.

be taken advantage of

Emphasizes the opportunistic aspect of using something quickly.

be grasped eagerly

Highlights the enthusiasm with which something is accepted.

be pounced on

Suggests a more aggressive or predatory taking of an opportunity.

be embraced readily

Implies a willing and quick acceptance of something.

be leveraged quickly

Focuses on using something to achieve a specific goal or advantage.

be exploited promptly

Highlights the immediate and strategic use of something.

be made the most of

Emphasizes maximizing the potential benefit from something.

be jumped at

Suggests an enthusiastic and immediate acceptance.

be welcomed enthusiastically

Focuses on the positive reception of an idea or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "be seized upon" in a sentence?

You can use "be seized upon" to indicate that something is quickly and enthusiastically adopted or used. For example: "The new data were certain to "be seized upon" by lawyers representing former Vioxx users."

What does "be seized upon" mean?

"Be seized upon" means that something (like an idea, opportunity, or piece of information) is quickly and eagerly taken advantage of or utilized.

Which is a better alternative to "be seized upon": "be capitalized on" or "be taken advantage of"?

Both "be capitalized on" and "be taken advantage of" are valid alternatives, but "be capitalized on" often implies a more positive and strategic use, while "be taken advantage of" can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting exploitation. Choose the alternative that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "be seized upon" and "be grasped eagerly"?

"Be seized upon" implies a quick and often strategic adoption or utilization, while "be grasped eagerly" focuses more on the enthusiasm and willingness with which something is accepted. The former is about action, the latter about reception.