could be detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the possibility of someone being held or confined, often in legal or law enforcement situations. Example: "If the authorities find sufficient evidence, the suspect could be detained for further questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And he could be detained".

The New York Times

And Mr. Bogatirov fled Austria for Russia before he could be detained.

The New York Times

Human rights advocates fear that he could be detained for years.

The New York Times

They told me I could be detained, that I could be removed from the country.

Independent

You could be detained and, certain lawsuits allege, tortured by foreign governments.

The Guardian

Judge William B. Traxler Jr. asked whether people could be detained and held in secret.

The New York Times

But the text they devised to define who could be detained went beyond Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The New York Times

Upon arrival there a Chinese immigrant could be detained from weeks to years before being granted or denied entry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under India's National Security Act, a suspect could be detained for up to 12 months without trial.

The Guardian

Under the laws of war, he said, they could be detained, "and they need not be guilty of anything".

The New York Times

Because XDR-TB is believed to be incurable, such patients could be detained for life or until they die.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be detained" to express a possibility or potential for someone to be held, especially in legal or investigative contexts. It's suitable when the detention isn't certain but remains a plausible outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "could be detained" in informal conversations where simpler phrases like "might be held" or "may be kept" are more appropriate. This phrase is best reserved for formal or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be detained" functions as a passive construction, indicating a potential action that might be performed on someone. It expresses the possibility of detention rather than a definite action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be detained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. It signifies the possibility of someone being held or confined by authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various examples showcasing its usage in legal, immigration, and security-related scenarios. While the phrase is best suited for formal and semi-formal contexts, overuse in casual conversation should be avoided. Alternative phrases such as "might be held" or "may be arrested" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be held

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability.

may be arrested

Substitutes "detained" with "arrested", suggesting a formal apprehension.

might be taken into custody

Expands on "detained" to specify "taken into custody", providing more detail.

could be taken prisoner

Replaces "detained" with "taken prisoner", implying captivity.

may be confined

Uses "confined" instead of "detained", suggesting a restriction of movement.

might face imprisonment

Shifts the focus to the potential consequence of imprisonment.

are liable to be apprehended

Employs a more formal tone with "liable to be apprehended".

risk being detained

Highlights the risk associated with potential detention.

run the risk of being held

Similar to above, but more explicitly phrases detention as a risk.

potentially be held in custody

Specifies the potential and the nature of confinement.

FAQs

How to use "could be detained" in a sentence?

Use "could be detained" to indicate a possibility of someone being held by authorities, such as, "The suspect "could be detained" if they are found to be lying to officials".

What can I say instead of "could be detained"?

You can use alternatives like "might be held", "may be arrested", or "might be taken into custody" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could be detained" or "can be detained"?

"Could be detained" suggests a possibility or potential, whereas "can be detained" implies the ability or permission to detain. The choice depends on the intended meaning. For example, "He "could be detained"" suggests a possibility; "He "can be detained"" suggests it is permissible to detain him.

What's the difference between "could be detained" and "was detained"?

"Could be detained" refers to a potential future action, while "was detained" refers to a past action. "Could be detained" expresses possibility, whereas "was detained" indicates a fact.