has been confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been taken away or seized by an authority, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The illegal goods have been confiscated by customs officials during the inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Nothing has been confiscated," he said.

The New York Times

Her passport has been confiscated.

The Guardian

Their property has been confiscated.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Haqqani's passport has been confiscated, and he has taken refuge in Mr. Gilani's home.

The New York Times

As with other TV networks, much of Al Jazeera's equipment in Cairo has been confiscated.

The New York Times

Much of the food industry has been confiscated in order to "ensure food sovereignty".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Her passport had been confiscated.

The New Yorker

Fake IDs have been confiscated.

The New York Times

Unlicensed television satellite dishes have been confiscated.

The Economist

His passport had been confiscated.

The New Yorker

So far, no tombs have been confiscated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been confiscated", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what authority did the confiscating, especially in formal writing. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice construction "has been confiscated" if the active agent is known and relevant. Using the active voice (e.g., "The police confiscated the evidence") often results in clearer and more direct writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been confiscated" functions as a passive voice construction of the verb "confiscate". It indicates that an object or property has been taken away by an authority, often due to legal or regulatory reasons. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been confiscated" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that something has been officially taken away by an authority. As Ludwig AI points out, it's most frequently found in news and formal contexts. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies who or what authority performed the confiscation to avoid ambiguity. While the passive voice is acceptable, consider using the active voice for more direct and clearer communication. Alternatives like "has been seized" or "has been impounded" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been seized

Indicates a taking with legal or official authority, very similar to confiscation.

has been impounded by the authorities

This alternative specifies which entity is confiscating the item, adding clarity and legal context.

has been impounded

Often used for vehicles or documents, implying temporary holding by authorities.

has been taken into custody

Implies a formal process of seizing something, often related to legal or security measures.

has been forfeited

Suggests a loss of something as a penalty or consequence of an action.

has been appropriated

Indicates the taking of something for one's own use, often without permission but not necessarily illegal.

has been requisitioned

Implies a formal demand for something, often by a government or military.

has been commandeered

Suggests taking control of something, often temporarily and for military purposes.

has been expropriated

Refers to the taking of private property for public use, often with compensation.

has been reclaimed

Suggests regaining possession of something, often after it was lost or taken.

FAQs

What does "has been confiscated" mean?

The phrase "has been confiscated" means that something has been officially taken away, usually by an authority, often due to a violation of rules or laws.

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

You can use alternatives like "has been seized", "has been impounded", or "has been forfeited" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing a confiscation?

While "has been confiscated" (passive) is correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The authorities confiscated the item") can often make your writing more direct and clear, especially when the actor is known.

When is it appropriate to use "has been confiscated" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "has been confiscated" when you want to emphasize the object that was taken rather than the entity that did the taking, or when the entity is unknown or unimportant to the context.