have been intercepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been intercepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been caught or stopped before reaching its intended destination, often in relation to communications or objects. Example: "The messages have been intercepted by the authorities during the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

Ships have been intercepted leaving Iraq carrying wheat and beans.

The New York Times

Piranhas, red fire ants and emperor scorpions have been intercepted in mail parcels to Hawaii.

The Economist

Shipments have been intercepted containing parts for such a uranium venture.

The Economist

Your mail may have been intercepted by fraudsters or your account address may have been changed.

The Guardian - Money

Hundreds more have been intercepted at sea and returned to Cuba.

The New York Times

Another suicide attacker was said to have been intercepted and killed by security forces on a road to the airport.

The New York Times

Six Russian military planes have been intercepted off the coast of Alaska as they approached North American airspace.

Independent

The Spanish military police say more than 900 people have been intercepted in the strait this year.

The New York Times

Collier's only touchdown pass, a jump-ball throw to Mike Cook, very easily could have been intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been intercepted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the intercepting. Providing this information adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been intercepted" with a singular subject. Ensure the subject is plural to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "The message have been intercepted", use "The messages have been intercepted".

Linguistic Context

Have been intercepted functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone the action of being intercepted. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples include: "Ships have been intercepted leaving Iraq carrying wheat and beans."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been intercepted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its utility across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it communicates the idea of something being stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination. Common alternatives include phrases like "have been stopped" or "have been blocked". When employing this phrase, ensure the subject-verb agreement is correct and the context clearly indicates the agent responsible for the interception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been caught

A simple and direct synonym for "intercepted".

have been stopped

Replaces "intercepted" with a more general term for halting progress.

have been blocked

Implies an obstruction preventing passage or delivery.

have been seized

Indicates forceful taking of something, often by authorities.

were caught in transit

Focuses on the action of being caught during movement.

have been apprehended

Suggests capturing someone or something, often in legal contexts.

have been diverted

Indicates a change of course, preventing arrival at the intended destination.

have been rerouted

Similar to 'diverted', but specifically implies a new route was chosen.

have been disrupted

Emphasizes the interruption of a process or flow.

were taken into custody

Highlights the action of being taken into legal control.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been intercepted" to describe something that was stopped before reaching its destination. For example, "The package might "have been intercepted" by customs officials".

What are some alternatives to "have been intercepted"?

Alternatives include "have been stopped", "have been blocked", or "have been seized", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been intercepted" instead of "have been intercepted"?

No, "has been intercepted" is used with singular subjects, while ""have been intercepted"" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The message has been intercepted" versus "The messages have been intercepted".

What does "have been intercepted" mean in the context of communications?

In the context of communications, ""have been intercepted"" typically means that the communication (e.g., a phone call, email, or letter) was secretly listened to or read by someone other than the intended recipient. The interception may be legal or illegal depending on jurisdiction and circumstances.