captured

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "captured" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used as a verb to mean "to take possession of something, usually by forceful means", as in the sentence: "The army captured the enemy's stronghold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

You force money transfers underground where they are more likely to be captured by terrorists.

The Guardian - Opinion

This diverts resources to landfill and gives rise to greenhouse gas emissions, because the rotting food produces methane that is not captured and adds to the concentration of carbon in the air.

The Guardian

Monckton's men ended up in a heavily forested region now known as the eastern Canadian province of New Brunswick where, following a two-week siege, they captured an area previously controlled by French Acadian settlers.

The Guardian - Sport

The country boosted security on its 500-mile border with Iraq in July, deploying thousands of troops to back up border guards after the jihadis captured Mosul, seized swaths of territory including Anbar province, and announced a caliphate straddling the border with Syria.

The Guardian

Jack Lieb captured the invasion on silent film for News of the Day and later narrated over the film for the archives.

The Guardian

Anti-hunt campaigners say the market for captured dolphins in China is growing rapidly.

The Guardian

Russian media reported earlier in the week that Liashko had been captured by rebels, but he later emerged unscathed, announcing his security by posting a photograph of himself, his mother and a large white cat on his blog.

The Guardian

But the governance debate has only captured half of the story.

The Guardian

Given his views, was it not astonishing that he should have been given the job by a government described in Nicholas Shaxson's bombshell book Treasure Islands as now being "utterly captured by the financial services industry"?

The Guardian - Business

Worse still, an unapologetic socialist - the mysterious Victor Grayson - captured the nonconformist stronghold of Colne Valley.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "captured" in historical or military contexts, ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The fort was captured by enemy forces" is more precise than "The fort was captured."

Common error

While "captured" can be used metaphorically (e.g., "The image captured the essence of the moment"), overuse can weaken your writing. Consider alternatives like "reflected", "represented", or "embodied" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "captured" is as a past participle of the verb capture. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, often used to describe a state of being seized or recorded, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "captured" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a past participle, denoting the action of seizing, recording, or fascinating. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically sound for usage. Its high frequency in the News & Media and its absence from other contexts suggests it is more commonplace to find in those mediums. When using "captured", ensure that its specific sense (physical seizure, recording, fascination) is clear from the context, and avoid overuse in metaphorical senses to maintain writing impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seized

Indicates a forceful taking of something, similar to "captured" but often implies a more sudden or violent action.

captivated

Synonymous with fascinated, it means to attract and hold someone's interest.

apprehended

Implies catching someone who is trying to escape, often used in legal contexts.

arrested

Specifically refers to taking someone into legal custody.

recorded

Focuses on preserving something, such as an image or sound, differing from the seizing aspect of "captured".

taken into custody

A formal way of saying someone has been arrested or detained.

documented

Similar to recorded, but emphasizes the act of creating a formal record.

ensnared

Suggests trapping or entangling, adding a sense of being caught in a difficult situation.

snagged

Suggests acquiring something quickly and easily, potentially unexpectedly.

fascinated

Describes being captivated by something, shifting the meaning from physical capture to mental engagement.

FAQs

How is "captured" used in a sentence?

You can use "captured" to describe seizing something by force, like "The soldiers "captured" the city", or to indicate recording something, like "The photographer "captured" the sunset".

What are some synonyms for "captured"?

Depending on the context, alternatives for "captured" include "seized", "apprehended", "recorded", or "fascinated".

Is it correct to use "captured" in a metaphorical sense?

Yes, "captured" can be used metaphorically to describe something that effectively conveys a feeling or idea. For instance, "The painting "captured" the essence of despair" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "captured" and "captivated"?

"Captured" often implies a forceful or deliberate taking, while "captivated" refers to being charmed or fascinated. You "captured" the flag, but you were "captivated" by the music.