had been detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone was held in custody or confinement at some point in the past. Example: "The suspect had been detained for questioning before being released without charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many had been detained in traffic stops.

The New York Times

She had been detained on corruption charges.

The Economist

Chen had been detained without bail since November 2008.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another 2,870 insurgents had been detained.

The Washington Post

The group said suspects had been detained.

The Guardian

In fact, 80 had been detained.

The Guardian

They had been detained since Monday.

The Guardian

"Mothers whose sons had been detained.

The New Yorker

They had been detained crossing the border.

The Guardian

It was not clear why he had been detained.

The New York Times

They did not say why he had been detained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been detained", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the detention and the timeframe. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "had been detained" when the detention is ongoing. "Is being detained" or "has been detained" are more appropriate for current situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been detained" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It describes an action (detention) that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in news and encyclopedic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been detained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect passive construction, indicating that someone was held in custody at a time prior to another point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and encyclopedic sources with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, clarity about the reasons for and timeframe of the detention is crucial. Be mindful of tense to avoid misrepresenting the situation. Related phrases like "was arrested" or "was taken into custody" can be suitable alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in detention

Highlights the state of being held for questioning or investigation.

was taken into custody

Emphasizes the act of being placed under arrest or detention.

was under arrest

Similar to arrested, but focuses on the current state.

was in custody

Focuses on the state of being held by authorities at a particular time.

was arrested

Indicates that formal charges may be pending.

was apprehended

Suggests the act of capturing someone, often by law enforcement.

was held captive

Implies being held against one's will, often in a non-legal context.

was confined

Highlights the restriction of movement to a specific area.

was incarcerated

Specifically refers to being imprisoned or held in a correctional facility.

was imprisoned

Similar to incarcerated, emphasizing a longer-term confinement.

FAQs

How is "had been detained" used in a sentence?

"Had been detained" indicates a past action completed before another point in the past. For example, "The suspect /s/had+been+detained for questioning before the evidence was discovered".

What are some alternatives to "had been detained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was arrested", "was taken into custody", or "was in detention".

What's the difference between "had been detained" and "was detained"?

"Had been detained" implies the detention occurred and ended before another event in the past, while "was detained" simply indicates the detention happened in the past. For example, "He /s/had+been+detained before but was released" versus "He /s/was+detained yesterday".

Is it correct to say "has been detained" instead of "had been detained"?

Using "has been detained" indicates the detention is relevant to the present. "Had been detained" is used when referring to a completed action in the past, prior to another past event.