get confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to items or possessions that are taken away by an authority, often due to legal or regulatory reasons. Example: "If you attempt to bring prohibited items into the venue, they will get confiscated at the entrance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"A lot of the ingredients, if they were sent over, they'd get confiscated," he says.

Independent

And when the bikes get confiscated, the riders simply go downtown and get them back.

The Washington Post

He is not worried they will be detained, but is concerned their footage might get confiscated and said he realised they may need to tread carefully.

The Guardian - Music

As a result, no new private investment wants to get near Greece because it will be the first to get confiscated in the event of trouble a prospect made all the more likely by the official sector's reluctance to take losses the first time around.

The Economist

Good news for air travelers: Unlike a Swiss Army Knife, which could get confiscated at a security checkpoint, your Nimble is good to go as carry on.

Los Angeles Times

Almost everything that was sent to us from America would get confiscated, so my dad started sending us packs of Juicy Fruit gum.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And then it gets confiscated".

The New York Times - Magazine

Or they may not have the opportunity to turn it on before their device gets confiscated.

The Washington Post

In case his phone got confiscated, he broadcast his footage online, in real time.

The New Yorker

There were the insurance policies on loads of cocaine that some of the Colombian cartels have offered, or the fact that when a load gets confiscated by authorities, traffickers will try to find a newspaper clipping about the bust, or even ask the authorities for a receipt, to prove that they didn't steal the drugs themselves.

The New York Times

"Imagine you're the person standing in line at the airport behind an insane fashion PR, who's screaming at a customs agent because the coconut shell bikini Steven Klein is supposed to shoot the next day just got confiscated by Fish and Wildlife.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get confiscated", ensure the context clearly indicates the authority or reason for the confiscation. For example, "Items that violate the rules will "get confiscated" by the security staff."

Common error

Avoid using "gets confiscated" when referring to multiple items or a plural subject. Use "get confiscated" instead. For example, it's incorrect to say "The phones gets confiscated"; the correct phrasing is "The phones get confiscated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get confiscated" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is being taken away by an authority. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples, which demonstrate various contexts where items or properties are subject to confiscation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

60%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get confiscated" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe something being taken away by an authority. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources and Wiki, indicating a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, it’s a clear way to communicate potential consequences. Related phrases, such as "be seized" or "be impounded", offer alternatives depending on the specific context. Remember to use the correct subject-verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors. Overall, "get confiscated" is a useful phrase for describing involuntary loss of possession due to regulations or laws.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be seized

Emphasizes the act of taking possession, often by legal authority.

be impounded

Specifically refers to vehicles or property taken into official custody.

be appropriated

Suggests taking something for one's own use, often in an official capacity.

be forfeited

Implies a loss of ownership as a penalty.

be taken away

A more general term for something being removed from someone's possession.

be reclaimed

Focuses on taking back possession, often of something lost or previously owned.

be expropriated

Usually refers to government taking private property for public use.

be commandeered

Suggests taking something for military or public service.

be sequestered

Highlights the act of isolating or setting something apart, often under legal authority.

be distrained

Refers to seizing goods to satisfy a debt or legal claim.

FAQs

How can I use "get confiscated" in a sentence?

You can use "get confiscated" to describe when something is taken away by an authority. For example, "If you bring prohibited items to school, they will "get confiscated".

What's a good alternative to "get confiscated"?

Alternatives include "be seized", "be impounded", or "be taken away", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "gets confiscated"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "get confiscated" for plural subjects and "gets confiscated" for singular subjects. For example, "The items get confiscated" versus "The item gets confiscated".

What is the difference between "get confiscated" and "get seized"?

While both phrases indicate something being taken away, "get confiscated" often implies a formal or official process, whereas "get seized" can be more general.