been seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been taken or captured, often in legal or law enforcement situations. Example: "The evidence has been seized by the authorities during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These anomalies have been seized on.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The boat has been seized by police.

The Guardian

America's farmers have not been seized by sudden guilt.

The Economist

Most of his fortune has been seized by investigators.

The Economist

The hotel's CCTV tapes have been seized by police.

Independent

Bomb-making materials have been seized in Thailand and Malaysia.

The Economist

Around 10,000 devices have been seized by investigators.

Independent

Our hero has been seized by the police.

The New Yorker

Millions of dollars in assets have been seized or frozen.

The Economist

In all 2.6 billion rupees have been seized.

The Economist

The president said some Kalashnikov assault rifles had been seized.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been seized" when you want to convey that something has been taken forcefully or authoritatively, such as by law enforcement or a governing body. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the seizing action.

Common error

Avoid using "been seized" with a singular subject. The auxiliary verb "been" requires a plural or uncountable subject, or the past perfect construction "had been seized". For example, it's incorrect to say "The document have been seized"; the correct phrasing is "The documents have been seized" or "The document had been seized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been seized" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "seize" in the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence has had something taken from it, often by an authority or by force. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been seized" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been taken, usually by force or legal authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily within news and media, where it serves to report on events involving confiscations, captures, or impoundments. While generally neutral in register, its formality can increase depending on the subject matter. When using "been seized", ensure correct subject-verb agreement to avoid common errors and choose appropriate synonyms, like "been confiscated" or "been captured", to match the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been confiscated

Replaces "seized" with a term specifically related to legal or official taking of property.

has been captured

Substitutes "seized" with a word that implies taking something by force or skill, often used in military or competitive contexts.

has been impounded

Replaces "seized" with a term that suggests taking possession of something, typically vehicles or documents, by legal authority.

has been appropriated

Substitutes "seized" with a word implying taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

has been taken over

Replaces "seized" suggesting taking control or management of something, such as a company or project.

has been commandeered

Substitutes "seized" with a term referring to taking private property for military or public use.

has been wrested

Replaces "seized" with a word that indicates obtaining something with difficulty or force.

has been grasped

Substitutes "seized" with a term meaning to take hold of something physically or metaphorically.

has been laid hold of

Replaces "seized" with a more formal or archaic phrase for taking possession.

has been snatched

Replaces "seized" with a word implying taking something quickly and often surreptitiously.

FAQs

How is "been seized" typically used in a sentence?

"Been seized" is used to indicate that something has been taken, often forcefully or by legal authority. For example, "The evidence has "been seized" by the police" or "The opportunity has "been seized" by our competitor".

What are some alternative phrases for "been seized" that I can use?

Alternatives include "been confiscated", "been captured", or "been impounded", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was seized" instead of "has been seized"?

Yes, "was seized" is correct, but it indicates a simple past action. "Has "been seized"" implies a past action with present relevance or consequence, while "was seized" simply states that the action occurred in the past.

What is the difference between "been seized" and "being seized"?

"Been seized" indicates a completed action, while "being seized" indicates an action in progress. For example, "The assets have "been seized"" means the seizure is finished. "The assets are being seized" means the seizure is currently happening.