has been abducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been abducted" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "abduct," which means to kidnap or take someone away by force. You can use this phrase when describing a past event that has a connection to the present, such as the ongoing effects of the abduction or the current state of the person who was abducted. Here is an example: "Sarah has been abducted twice in her lifetime, causing her to develop a deep fear of strangers and unfamiliar places."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She assumes he has been abducted by the C.I.A.

The New York Times

The wife of one of his servants has been abducted.

The New Yorker

For him it's as if he has been abducted by aliens from outer space," she said.

The Guardian

Her daughter, Pamina, has been abducted by Sarastro, the successor to Pamina's father: "That wasn't nice.

The New York Times - Arts

Will Laura discover her daughter has been abducted by a rogue synth?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Stephanie Plum searches for a 7-year-old New Jersey girl who has been abducted.

The New York Times - Books

But for what is believed to be the first time, a major league player has been abducted there.

The New York Times - Sports

One in 50 Americans, we are assured, has been abducted by aliens at some time in his life.

The Economist

By his reckoning, 1 in 50 Americans has been abducted by an alien and simply does not know it.

The New York Times

"One can only interpret the screams as suggesting that there was some violence or she has been abducted".

The Guardian

Recently, Ilyumzhinov has attracted attention from the world's media as he claims that he has been abducted by aliens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been abducted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the abducting to provide a complete understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "has been abducted" when a simple past tense like "was abducted" is more appropriate. The present perfect tense implies a connection to the present, so it's best used when the abduction's consequences are still relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been abducted" functions as a passive construction within a sentence, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action, rather than the actor. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show it describing someone who was kidnapped or forcibly taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

10%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been abducted" is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as a passive construction, most commonly used to report news or factual accounts of someone being taken against their will. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various reputable sources, primarily in the news and media sector. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the abductor and that the present perfect tense accurately reflects the abduction's ongoing relevance. While synonyms like "has been kidnapped" or "has been taken hostage" exist, each carries slightly different connotations that should be carefully considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been kidnapped

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the act of taking someone unlawfully and holding them captive.

has been taken against their will

This explicitly states the lack of consent in the removal of someone.

has been taken hostage

This emphasizes the holding of someone as leverage, often in a negotiation or conflict situation.

has been seized

This suggests a sudden and forceful taking of someone, often by authorities or military forces.

has been captured

This implies taking someone into possession, often during warfare or a similar conflict.

has been snatched

This suggests a quick and unexpected abduction, often of a child.

has been illegally detained

This focuses on the unlawful holding of someone against their will, often by government or law enforcement.

has been forcibly removed

This highlights the use of force in taking someone away from a location or situation.

has been spirited away

This is a more figurative term, suggesting a mysterious or magical disappearance.

has disappeared without a trace

This emphasizes the mysterious nature of the person's absence, implying that they were secretly abducted.

FAQs

How to use "has been abducted" in a sentence?

Use "has been abducted" to describe a past abduction with present relevance, such as "The child has been abducted, and the search is still ongoing".

What can I say instead of "has been abducted"?

You can use alternatives like "has been kidnapped", "has been taken hostage", or "has been seized" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been abducted" or "was abducted"?

"Has been abducted" is present perfect, implying ongoing relevance. "Was abducted" is simple past, focusing on a completed action. Use "has been abducted" if the abduction's effects are still felt.

What's the difference between "has been abducted" and "has gone missing"?

"Has been abducted" implies a forced taking, while "has gone missing" suggests an unexplained disappearance. Abduction indicates foul play; missing is neutral.