been apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has been caught or arrested, typically in legal or law enforcement discussions. Example: "The suspect has been apprehended and is now in custody awaiting trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No suspects have been apprehended.

The New York Times

No one has been apprehended.

The New York Times

And over 200 have now been apprehended.

The New York Times

Some have already been apprehended and charged in Europe.

The Economist

The attackers had been apprehended, he told me.

The New Yorker

More than 500 Qaeda operatives have been apprehended.

The New York Times

Mr. Young added, "The killer has not yet been apprehended".

The New York Times

The five principal cult leaders have never been apprehended.

The New York Times

The gunman we saw has not been apprehended.

The Guardian

No one has been apprehended in either case.

The New York Times

If so, why have they not been apprehended?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been apprehended" in formal contexts, especially when reporting on legal or law enforcement matters. It conveys a sense of official action.

Common error

Avoid using "been apprehended" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "caught" or "arrested" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been apprehended" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something has been taken into custody. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing it in sentences where suspects or individuals are captured by authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been apprehended" is a grammatically sound passive verb construction commonly used to report the capture or arrest of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, primarily within news and media contexts. While alternatives like "been arrested" or "been captured" exist, "been apprehended" carries a slightly more formal tone. To avoid overuse in casual settings, consider simpler options. The phrase's prevalence in reputable news sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness for formal reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been arrested

Focuses specifically on the legal aspect of being taken into custody.

been taken into custody

A more formal and explicit way of saying someone has been arrested.

been captured

Implies being taken into possession, not necessarily by legal authorities.

been seized

Suggests a forceful taking or confiscation.

been detained

Indicates a temporary holding, often for questioning.

been caught

A more general term for being found or discovered, often in the act of wrongdoing.

been taken prisoner

Implies capture in a conflict or war scenario.

been collared

A slang term for being arrested, often used in informal contexts.

been nabbed

Similar to collared, a slang term suggesting a quick or unexpected arrest.

been busted

An informal term for being caught, usually doing something illegal.

FAQs

How to use "been apprehended" in a sentence?

You can use "been apprehended" to describe someone who has been arrested by law enforcement. For example, "The suspect has been apprehended and is awaiting trial."

What can I say instead of "been apprehended"?

You can use alternatives like "been arrested", "been captured", or "been detained" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "been apprehended" or "was apprehended"?

"Been apprehended" is correct when used with a helping verb like "has" or "have" (e.g., "The suspect has been apprehended"). "Was apprehended" is also correct and used in the past tense (e.g., "The suspect was apprehended yesterday").

What is the difference between "been apprehended" and "been arrested"?

While both imply capture by authorities, "been apprehended" is often considered more formal and can encompass a broader range of captures beyond just arrests. "Been arrested" specifically refers to legal arrest procedures.