has been seized

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been seized" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in a passive voice to indicate that something or someone has been taken or captured. Here are some examples: - The counterfeit goods have been seized by customs officials. - The fugitive has been seized by the police. - The company's assets have been seized by the government for tax evasion. - The opportunity to travel abroad has been seized by the pandemic. - The suspect's computer has been seized as evidence in the investigation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The boat has been seized by police.

The Guardian

Most of his fortune has been seized by investigators.

The Economist

Our hero has been seized by the police.

The New Yorker

Eritrean property has been seized, and sold, by the government.

The Economist

"Yet he has been seized upon by everybody".

The New York Times

It is the second time that suspect wood has been seized from a Gibson factory.

The New York Times

In the middle of the night he has been seized with inspiration.

The New York Times - Arts

Pansy being held… Our hero has been seized by the police.

The New Yorker

Now many people in the east feel that Kiev has been seized by the west.

The Economist

The hashtag #safetypin has been seized on by people showing photographs of themselves thus adorned.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

MOSCOW — The city's middle class has been seized by a collective anxiety attack.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been seized" to indicate a formal or authoritative taking of something, whether by law enforcement, government, or another entity with power or control. Ensure that the context clearly identifies who is doing the seizing and what is being seized.

Common error

Avoid using "has been seized" when the active voice would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The suspect has been seized by police", using "Police seized the suspect" can often be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been seized" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence has been subjected to the action of seizing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been seized" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its typical use to describe something being taken by force or authority. Predominantly found in News & Media, as well as Formal & Business contexts, it serves to report an action with a relatively neutral tone. When writing, consider if the passive voice is truly necessary, or if the active voice would provide more clarity and impact. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the object that was taken rather than the actor who took it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was confiscated

Changes the tense and uses a synonym for "seized", focusing on official taking.

was taken into custody

Emphasizes the act of being taken by authorities, often in a legal context.

has been impounded

Specifically refers to the seizing of vehicles or goods, often temporarily.

has been captured

Suggests the taking of something, often after a struggle or chase.

was commandeered

Implies taking control of something for military or public use.

was expropriated

Indicates the formal taking of private property for public use, usually by a government.

has been appropriated

Suggests the taking of something for one's own use, often without permission.

is under seizure

Uses a noun form to indicate the state of being seized.

has fallen into the hands of

Suggests a change of ownership or control, often to an undesirable party.

is now in possession of

States the current holder of something that was previously seized.

FAQs

How is "has been seized" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "has been seized" is used in the passive voice to indicate that something has been taken or captured by an authority. For example, "The illegal goods "have been seized" by customs officials."

What are some alternatives to using "has been seized"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was confiscated", "was taken into custody", or "has been impounded" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was seized" instead of "has been seized"?

Both "was seized" and "has been seized" are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. "Was seized" refers to a completed action in the past, while "has been seized" indicates an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

What is the difference between "seized" and "confiscated"?

"Seized" generally means to take possession of something, often suddenly or forcibly. "Confiscated" usually implies that something has been taken by an authority as a penalty or because it's illegal. While they can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "confiscated" often carries a stronger implication of official action.