has been intercepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been intercepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been caught or stopped, often referring to communication or signals. Example: "The message has been intercepted by the authorities during their surveillance operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A letter testing positive for the new synthetic drug black mamba has been intercepted.

The Guardian

Then, as things get hot for him after a letter has been intercepted, he resorts to Latin and Greek.

The Guardian - Books

He has been intercepted only twice in 350 pass attempts — once when the ball was tipped, the other after a questionable call, Keeler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Moreover, UNODC reckons that a startling 26% of global heroin production and 42% of cocaine output has been intercepted by government authorities.

The Economist

Testaverde, who has been intercepted 13 times this season, nearly double his total in 1998, completed 21 of 42 passes for 293 yards today.

The New York Times - Sports

He has thrown a conference-leading 28 touchdowns and has been intercepted only 7 times -- most recently in the first quarter of the Arizona State game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(In a clever twist, he is converted by her letters, which he has been intercepting and reading).

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is no right to a hearing or even any right to know what the body that you think has been intercepting your communications says about your allegation.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had been intercepted twice and his interception total for the season had soared toward the league lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Clemens struggled running the second-team offense, going 4 of 12 with no scores, an interception and two other passes that could have been intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

The secrecy that attaches to interception warrants is maintained if someone who believes their communications have been intercepted mounts a legal challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been intercepted" to clearly convey that something was stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination. It is especially useful in contexts like communication, military, or law enforcement.

Common error

Avoid using "has been intercepted" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler terms like "stopped" or "caught" would be more appropriate. It can sound overly formal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been intercepted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone the action of being intercepted. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of the phrase used in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been intercepted" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates something has been stopped before reaching its intended destination. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase sees frequent use in news, media, and scientific contexts, and should be considered a more formal alternative to words like "stopped" or "caught". It is less appropriate in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "was blocked", "was thwarted", or "was averted" offer nuanced substitutes depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thwarted

Implies a deliberate attempt to prevent something from happening.

was prevented

Focuses on the aspect of stopping something before it occurs.

was averted

Focuses on the successful avoidance of a negative outcome.

was stopped

Uses a more general verb to convey the action of halting something in progress.

was caught

A simple and direct alternative indicating something was captured mid-action.

was blocked

Replaces "intercepted" with a simpler term indicating obstruction or prevention.

was disrupted

Highlights the interruption of a process or action.

was seized

Suggests forceful taking or capturing of something.

was neutralized

Implies rendering something ineffective or harmless.

was apprehended

Suggests the capture of a person or thing, often by law enforcement.

FAQs

How can I use "has been intercepted" in a sentence?

You can use "has been intercepted" to indicate that something has been stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination. For example, "The message "has been intercepted" by the authorities."

What's a simpler way to say "has been intercepted"?

Alternatives include "was stopped", "was caught", or "was blocked" depending on the context.

Is "has been intercepted" formal or informal?

"Has been intercepted" is generally considered a more formal phrase. Simpler terms are suitable for informal situations.

What's the difference between "has been intercepted" and "has been received"?

"Has been intercepted" implies that something was stopped before reaching its intended recipient, while "has been received" simply means that something arrived at its destination. These are opposites.