he gets arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he gets arrested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is taken into custody by law enforcement, typically in a narrative or reporting context. Example: "In the story, he gets arrested after being caught in the act of theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Sometimes he gets arrested.

The New Yorker

He gets arrested, but it's a blessing in disguise.

The New York Times - Books

So he gets arrested once in a while on her account.

The New Yorker

He gets high, he said, and when he gets high, he gets arrested.

The New York Times

Mostly, though, he gets arrested in raids on puny horse rooms around Third Avenue.

The New Yorker

He gets arrested for drawing hundreds of "Christian fish" on a stairwell inside the Statue of Liberty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Then he got arrested.

The New Yorker

He got arrested".

Independent

That's when he got arrested.

The Guardian

He got arrested for civil disobedience.

The Guardian

"But when he got arrested, that really upset the kids".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add more detail, specify the reason for the arrest immediately after the phrase, for example, "He gets arrested for drunk driving".

Common error

While "he gets arrested" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice when appropriate; for example, instead of "He gets arrested", write "The police arrest him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he gets arrested" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of being arrested. According to Ludwig AI, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he gets arrested" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone being taken into police custody. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "he is apprehended" may be preferable in professional settings. Remember to consider using active voice for stronger writing when appropriate, and this phrase is very frequently used across authoritative sources like The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorities arrest him

Highlights the role of authorities in making the arrest.

he is apprehended

Replaces "gets arrested" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the act of being caught.

he is taken into custody

A more formal and precise way of saying "he gets arrested", emphasizing the legal process.

he is arrested by police

Specifies that the arrest is carried out by the police force.

he is placed under arrest

Emphasizes the formal declaration of arrest by authorities.

police take him into custody

Highlights the physical action of police taking someone into custody.

he is detained

Focuses on the temporary holding of someone, which may or may not lead to a formal arrest.

he is charged

Highlights the accusation of a crime, which often follows an arrest.

he is busted

An informal way of saying "he gets arrested", often used in casual conversation.

he faces arrest

Indicates that arrest is imminent or likely.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he gets arrested"?

You can use alternatives like "he is apprehended", "he is taken into custody", or "he is placed under arrest" depending on the context.

Is "he gets arrested" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he gets arrested" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice of the verb "to arrest", indicating that someone is the recipient of the action.

How to use "he gets arrested" in a sentence?

You can use "he gets arrested" to describe a situation where someone is taken into police custody. For example, "In the movie, he gets arrested after a high-speed chase".

What's the difference between "he gets arrested" and "he was arrested"?

Both phrases describe someone being taken into custody. "He gets arrested" can sometimes imply a habitual action or a process, while "he was arrested" is a simple past tense statement of a single event.