has confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been taken away or seized, typically by an authority, at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. Example: "The authorities have confiscated the illegal goods found during the raid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

She has confiscated the magnets from her children.

The Washington Post

Mr. Sall says they belong to the state and has confiscated them.

The New York Times

Bangladesh says it has confiscated all copies in the country and banned further sale and distribution.

The New York Times

It has confiscated many homes from Christians, members of the Free Syrian Army and any activists it has caught.

The Guardian

However, the London-born preacher, who trained as a lawyer, cannot leave the country because the Home Office has confiscated his passport.

Independent

Since the beginning of the year, NISS has confiscated around 52 print runs of Sudan's papers without giving editors any reason and without any judicial due process.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The police have confiscated their cameras.

The New Yorker

They've confiscated the water.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have confiscated military equipment and ammunition," he said.

The New York Times

The Libyans who arrested him had confiscated it.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hua wrote that the officers had confiscated his Bible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has confiscated", ensure the subject performing the action has the authority to do so, such as a government, law enforcement agency, or school official.

Common error

Avoid using "has confiscated" when the action is simply 'taking' or 'borrowing'. "Confiscation" implies a formal seizure, usually due to a violation of rules or laws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has confiscated" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of taking something away (confiscating) has been completed at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. Ludwig confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has confiscated" is a verb phrase in the present perfect tense used to describe an action of taking something away, typically by an authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing with "has confiscated", ensure the subject has the proper authority and the context aligns with a formal seizure due to a violation. Alternatives include "has seized" and "has impounded", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has seized

Indicates a forceful taking of something, similar to confiscation but often implying more immediate action.

has impounded

Specifically refers to taking something into legal custody, often vehicles or documents.

has impounded

Seizing and holding something under legal authority, often due to a violation or offense.

has seized possession of

A more formal way of saying something has been taken, emphasizing the act of gaining control.

has taken into custody

Implies taking a person or object into official control, often by law enforcement.

has expropriated

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

has requisitioned

Implies formally demanding or taking something for official or military use.

has commandeered

Taking control of something, often temporarily and for military or emergency purposes.

has laid claim to

Asserting ownership or control over something, often land or resources.

has appropriated

Taking something, often without permission, for one's own use.

FAQs

How to use "has confiscated" in a sentence?

Use "has confiscated" to indicate that someone in a position of authority has taken something away, usually because of a rule violation. For example, "The teacher "has confiscated" the student's phone."

What can I say instead of "has confiscated"?

You can use alternatives like "has seized", "has impounded", or "has taken into custody" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has confiscated" or "confiscated"?

"Has confiscated" is the present perfect tense, used to describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has relevance to the present. "Confiscated" is the simple past tense, describing a completed action in the past with no direct connection to the present. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "has confiscated" and "has seized"?

While both indicate taking something, ""has confiscated"" often implies taking something due to a violation of rules or laws, whereas "has seized" can refer to taking something forcefully or abruptly in a more general sense.