being held captive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'being held captive' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing a situation in which someone is held against their will, such as a hostage. For example, "The hostages were held captive in the basement for two days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They're just sort of being held captive".

The New York Times - Arts

"They are basically being held captive".

The Guardian

One soldier and six police officers are being held captive.

The New York Times

Espinosa was released after being held captive for six months.

Independent

"He described their condition as being held captive".

The New York Times

The woman is being held captive in Somalia.

The Guardian

Now they feel like they are being held captive".

The New York Times

She is being held captive in the Tower of London.

The New Yorker

She is being held captive in King's Landing by the Lannisters.

Independent

All told, about 15 French citizens are now being held captive in West Africa.

The New York Times

Later, the White House said that at least one other American was being held captive.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being held captive", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the holding and the reason for the captivity. Be specific about the captor and the circumstances to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "being held captive" can be used metaphorically to describe feeling trapped in a situation, avoid overusing it in contexts where the captivity is not literal. Overuse can diminish the phrase's impact and create hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being held captive" functions as a passive participle phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase to describe the state of someone or something being imprisoned or confined against their will. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being held captive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It effectively communicates the state of involuntary confinement, predominantly in news and media contexts. While versatile, its use should be carefully considered to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts. Alternatives like "being imprisoned" or "being held hostage" may offer more specific nuances depending on the situation. Remember to clearly identify the captor and the circumstances surrounding the captivity for clarity. Ludwig's examples showcase its widespread application in describing real-world and fictional scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being held hostage

Emphasizes the situation where someone is held as leverage.

being held against their will

Emphasizes the lack of consent in the situation.

being kept in custody

Refers to the state of being under legal restraint.

being kept prisoner

Similar to "being imprisoned", but with a slightly broader scope.

being imprisoned

Focuses specifically on the state of being in prison.

being forcibly restrained

Focuses on the use of force to keep someone captive.

being confined

Highlights the restriction of movement.

being unlawfully detained

Highlights the illegality of the confinement.

being deprived of freedom

Highlights the loss of liberty.

being detained

Implies a temporary holding, often by authorities.

FAQs

How can I use "being held captive" in a sentence?

You can use "being held captive" to describe a situation where someone is kept prisoner or restrained against their will. For example: "The hostages were "being held captive" in a remote location."

What are some alternatives to "being held captive"?

Alternatives include "being imprisoned", "being held hostage", or "being detained", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "are held captive" instead of "being held captive"?

Both "are held captive" and "being held captive" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Are held captive" describes a general state, while "being held captive" emphasizes the ongoing action or process.

What is the difference between "being held captive" and "being held against their will"?

"Being held captive" is a more direct way of saying someone is imprisoned. "Being held against their will" emphasizes the lack of consent, suggesting the captivity is unwanted and forced. The phrase "being held against their will" underlines the unwilling nature of the confinement.