gets arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets arrested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of someone being taken into custody by law enforcement. Example: "After the investigation, the suspect finally gets arrested for his crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sometimes he gets arrested.

The New Yorker

Lohan, Lindsay Gets arrested.

The New York Times

No one gets arrested".

The Guardian - Opinion

"He's just accepted by everyone, he never gets arrested.

The Guardian

"What if a player gets arrested or traded?

The New York Times

He gets arrested, but it's a blessing in disguise.

The New York Times - Books

Then Nicholas gets arrested and things turn strange.

The Guardian - Books

She told HollywoodLife.com: "She is automatically in violation of her probation if she gets arrested.

Independent

Same-sex spouses lose big on taxes and Santa Claus gets arrested for tax fraud.

The New York Times

So he gets arrested once in a while on her account.

The New Yorker

He gets high, he said, and when he gets high, he gets arrested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Gets arrested" is a general term, but alternatives like "is apprehended" or "is taken into custody" might be more appropriate in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "gets arrested" in highly formal or legal documents. Opt for more precise and professional language such as "is formally charged" or "is taken into custody" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets arrested" functions as a passive verb phrase, describing an action performed upon the subject. It indicates that someone is the recipient of the action of being arrested by law enforcement authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets arrested" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the action of someone being taken into custody by law enforcement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the specific context and choose more formal alternatives like "is apprehended" or "is taken into custody" when appropriate. Common related phrases include "is detained by police" and "faces charges". To avoid overuse in highly formal settings, opting for professional language will help maintain a serious tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is apprehended

Focuses on the act of capture, often implying a more formal or official process.

is taken into custody

Emphasizes the legal process of being detained by authorities.

is detained by police

Highlights the role of the police in the detention.

is placed under arrest

A more formal way of saying someone is arrested, often used in legal contexts.

is charged with a crime

Shifts the focus to the formal accusation of a crime, which often follows an arrest.

is brought in for questioning

Describes the initial stage of detention for investigative purposes.

faces charges

Highlights the legal challenge and potential consequences after an arrest.

is busted

An informal term for being arrested, often used in casual conversation.

is collared by the cops

Uses slang to describe an arrest, emphasizing the police's involvement.

ends up in jail

Focuses on the result of being arrested, which is imprisonment.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "gets arrested"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is apprehended", "is taken into custody", or "is formally charged".

What's an informal alternative to "gets arrested"?

For informal situations, you could use phrases like "is busted" or "is collared by the cops".

How does the meaning of "gets arrested" differ from "is charged with a crime"?

"Gets arrested" refers to the act of being taken into custody, while "is charged with a crime" means a formal accusation has been made. An arrest often precedes the charges, but not always.

Is "gets arrested" always negative?

While typically negative, "gets arrested" can sometimes be neutral depending on the context. For instance, someone might intentionally get arrested as an act of civil disobedience.