captive of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "captive of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is held or confined by a particular situation, emotion, or entity, often implying a lack of freedom. Example: "She felt like a captive of her own fears, unable to break free from the anxiety that held her back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Captive of My Desires".

The New York Times

Warner was also a captive of his own background.

The New York Times

I'm just feeling like a captive of my stuff.

The New York Times

He spent five years as a captive of the Soviets.

The New York Times - Books

Other opponents have attacked the W.T.O. as the captive of anti-American groups abroad.

The New York Times

Yet now, McCain has become a captive of that same culture war.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Hardwicke described himself as the sexual captive of a choirmaster at a boarding school.

The New York Times

More broadly, Mr. Bush is increasingly perceived as both the servant and captive of moneyed interests.

The New York Times

Mr. Klein is sometimes described as an unwitting captive of the city's liberal consensus.

The New York Times

She added: "Government cannot continue to be the captive of the rich and powerful.

The Guardian

The dangerous side of it is that you become captive of what others' wishes are.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "captive of" to describe situations where someone or something is held against their will, either literally or figuratively. For example, "He was a captive of his own ambition."

Common error

Avoid using "captive of" in contexts where simple influence or persuasion is present. The phrase implies a lack of free will, not mere agreement or sway.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "captive of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being controlled or dominated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "captive of" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a lack of freedom or control. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It functions to describe a state of being dominated by an external force, often in negative contexts. Found most frequently in news and media, the phrase maintains a neutral register applicable to diverse writing styles. For alternative expressions, consider "prisoner of", "subject to", or "dominated by". When using the expression, make sure to accurately represent situations of genuine constraint rather than simple influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prisoner of

Indicates a state of being physically confined or controlled by someone.

in the grip of

Suggests a strong, often negative, force or influence controlling someone.

under the control of

Emphasizes the authority or power someone has over another.

at the mercy of

Highlights the vulnerability and dependence on someone or something else.

beholden to

Implies an obligation or indebtedness to someone.

subject to

Indicates being under the power or influence of something.

constrained by

Focuses on the limitations and restrictions imposed by something.

dominated by

Highlights the overwhelming influence of someone or something.

enslaved to

Suggests a complete loss of freedom and forced servitude.

dependent on

Implies reliance and a lack of self-sufficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "captive of" in a sentence?

Use "captive of" to describe a state of being controlled or dominated by something. For example, "The company was a captive of its own bureaucracy."

What can I say instead of "captive of"?

You can use alternatives like "prisoner of", "subject to", or "dominated by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "captive of" or "held captive by"?

"Captive of" and "held captive by" are both correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Captive of" emphasizes the state of being controlled, while "held captive by" emphasizes the act of being held.

What's the difference between "captive of" and "influenced by"?

"Captive of" implies a lack of free will or ability to resist, whereas "influenced by" suggests a more subtle and voluntary effect. Someone "influenced by" something still has agency, while someone "captive of" something does not.