have been seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been taken or captured, often in a legal or law enforcement context. Example: "The authorities have been seized with the responsibility of ensuring public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These anomalies have been seized on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Around 10,000 devices have been seized by investigators.

Independent

The hotel's CCTV tapes have been seized by police.

Independent

Bomb-making materials have been seized in Thailand and Malaysia.

The Economist

Millions of dollars in assets have been seized or frozen.

The Economist

In all 2.6 billion rupees have been seized.

The Economist

Imported copies have been seized at the border.

The New York Times

Because the angry Outs have been seized by In-ism.

The New York Times

We do know a number of weapons have been seized.

The Guardian

His gaffes have been seized upon with relish.

The Guardian - Sport

One imagines that they have been seized by desire in a Marimekko store.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been seized" to denote the taking of something, typically by authority or force. Ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the seizing and what was seized.

Common error

Avoid using "has been seized" when referring to multiple items; use "have been seized" to maintain correct subject-verb agreement in plural contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been seized" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone an action (seizure) performed by an external agent. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, indicating what objects, properties, or even abstract concepts have been subjected to this action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been seized" is a very common phrase used to describe the action of something being taken, typically by an authority or by force. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, indicating events involving confiscation or capture. When writing, be sure to use "have" with plural subjects and "has" with singular subjects to ensure correct grammar. Consider alternatives such as "have been confiscated" or "have been captured" to add nuance, and pay attention to context to ensure accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been confiscated

Focuses specifically on legal or official taking of property.

have been captured

Emphasizes taking something by force or skill.

have been impounded

Specifically refers to vehicles or goods taken into legal custody.

have been taken

A more general term for acquiring possession.

have been appropriated

Implies taking something, often resources, for a specific purpose.

have been commandeered

Suggests taking control of something for military or public use.

have been requisitioned

Refers to formally demanding something for official use.

have been usurped

Indicates wrongfully seizing power or authority.

have been grabbed

Suggests a sudden or forceful taking.

have been annexed

Specifically relates to adding territory to a country or state.

FAQs

How to use "have been seized" in a sentence?

Use "have been seized" to indicate that something has been taken by force or authority. For example, "The illegal goods "have been seized" by customs officials."

What can I say instead of "have been seized"?

You can use alternatives like "have been confiscated", "have been captured", or "have been impounded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been seized" or "have been seized"?

"Has been seized" is used with singular subjects, while ""have been seized"" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The item has been seized" versus "The items "have been seized"".

What's the difference between "have been seized" and "have been taken"?

"Have been seized" often implies a formal or forceful taking, usually by an authority. "Have been taken" is a more general term that simply means something has been removed or acquired.