could be apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the possibility of someone or something being understood, captured, or seized. Example: "The suspect could be apprehended by the authorities if they follow the leads provided by witnesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But it is possible that this man could be apprehended and never charged for most of his crimes.

The New York Times

Using this technique, scien tists could identify the sources of ocean oil‐spills so that the offenders could be apprehended.

The New York Times

The Sanader drama will play well in Croatia because few Croats believed that a former prime minister could be apprehended by the law.

The Economist

More fanciful Middle East analysts say that Osama could be "apprehended" just in time for the presidential elections, but even if he is eventually rounded up, Randal predicts gloomily, it remains "far from sure that Osama's removal would provide any durable relief".

The New York Times - Books

One would, therefore, expect that if there were certain moral propositions the truth of which could be apprehended by intuition, then moral philosophers would converge on these truths.

SEP

Furthermore, quantity was also introduced into the human soul for the specific purpose that this fundamental symmetry could be apprehended and known scientifically.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mr Hain told the BBC the letters "were not amnesties or immunities", saying "they made it clear that if other evidence came to light... they could well be apprehended".

BBC

Mary and Hilary agree that this killing was justified since he was engaged in a stateless war against us and couldn't be apprehended.

Huffington Post

"When you talk about the environmental groups, all the time they're branded rhetorically as terrorists, but what this law was doing was setting up a situation where they could actually be apprehended as terrorists without the benefit of a trial by jury," Mayer adds.

Los Angeles Times

Yet if ICE's courthouse operations spared fathers seeking custody and visibly prioritized, say, convicted felons who could not otherwise be apprehended safely, the agency might not have called so much attention to itself.

The New Yorker

There was also evidence that the bombers had prepared for the possibility they might be apprehended before they could detonate their bombs.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider whether "apprehended" is the most precise term. Alternatives like "arrested", "detained", or "captured" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "could be apprehended" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "might get caught" or "can be understood" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be apprehended" functions as a modal passive construction. The modal verb 'could' expresses possibility, while 'be apprehended' indicates the passive voice, suggesting that someone or something is on the receiving end of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and generally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be apprehended" is a grammatically sound modal passive construction used to express the possibility of someone or something being captured or understood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for use in news, academic, and scientific contexts, though it leans towards a slightly more formal register. While "apprehended" is a valid term, remember to consider simpler alternatives like "arrested", "captured", or "understood" depending on your specific context to better adapt to the communication channel and improve comprehensibility. Keep in mind that this expression is not used frequently in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be arrested

Replaces "apprehended" with "arrested", a more specific term for legal capture.

might be captured

Replaces "could" with "might", softening the level of possibility, and "apprehended" with "captured", a more common term.

might be caught

Uses a simpler and more common verb, "caught", to replace "apprehended", maintaining the sense of capture.

may be detained

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating a possibility, and "apprehended" with "detained", implying temporary holding.

can be seized

Replaces "could" with "can", suggesting a stronger possibility or ability, and "apprehended" with "seized", emphasizing forceful taking.

could be taken into custody

Replaces "apprehended" with a more explicit and formal phrase, specifying the act of being taken into police control.

may be taken

A more general alternative, where "taken" replaces "apprehended", and maintains the possibility.

might be understood

Shifts the meaning from physical capture to intellectual comprehension, using "understood" in place of "apprehended".

may be grasped

Similar to "might be understood", focusing on comprehension rather than capture, with a different verb choice.

can be conceived

Emphasizes the potential for understanding or imagining something, diverging from the capture meaning.

FAQs

What does "could be apprehended" mean?

The phrase "could be apprehended" generally means there is a possibility of someone being arrested or captured. It can also mean something could be understood or grasped.

What are some synonyms for "could be apprehended" in the context of arrest?

If you mean "could be arrested", you can use alternatives such as "might be captured", "may be detained", or "can be seized".

How can I use "could be apprehended" in a sentence?

Example: "The suspect "could be apprehended" by the police if they find enough evidence." Another example: "The complex concept "could be apprehended" through careful study".

Which is a more formal term, "could be arrested" or "could be apprehended"?

"Could be apprehended" is generally more formal than "could be arrested". "Arrested" is more direct and commonly used, while "apprehended" carries a more official or legal tone.