he has detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being held or kept in custody, often by law enforcement or authority figures. Example: "The police have confirmed that he has detained several suspects in connection with the investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Although he has detained one Palestinian official for questioning and has issued orders to detain two more, Mr. Arafat has so far given no such thorough accounting.

The New York Times

After all, he has stationed troops along the Afghan border to help cut off Al Qaeda escape routes, and he has detained several Al Qaeda sympathizers.

The New York Times

And in recent months he has detained more than 30 Brotherhood members and hauled many to military trial, including Zaki Bani Irshaid, the movement's deputy in Jordan.Confidants of the king insist the crackdown is working.

The Economist

The first CNN report shows Saddam Hussein with some Britons he has detained, and while Wiener manages to slip the word hostages past a censor, the transmission prominently includes the Iraqi assertion that the Britons are guests.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

From his Humvee, Horne radioed Captain Hart and, explaining that he had detained an informant who was able to identify insurgents, asked permission to move to a new objective.

The New Yorker

In October 2015, according to Lutrell's letter, Palmer asked a forest service officer to release a man he had detained because he was a special deputy.

The Guardian

Mr. Wali said he had detained two accomplices of Mr. Wahed's who said he had led the attack on the association.

The New York Times

The MP posted a statement on his website on Tuesday in which he said that he had detained a youth in a shop where damage had been done.

The Guardian

The prosecution stated that Ms. Gu hatched the plot to kill Mr. Heywood when she was told that he had detained and kidnapped her son in Britain after their business deal soured.

The New York Times

There was no official confirmation that refugees and asylum seekers were involved, but one police officer told local news site Express that he had detained eight men, all of whom were asylum seekers.

Independent

He threatened the governor of Cartagena with a blockade, and so compelled him to restore two English merchant ships that he had detained.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has detained", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'he' refers to and the legal or authoritative basis for the detention. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he has detained" when the actor lacks the proper authority to detain someone. Use alternative phrases like "he has held" or "he has confined" if the context does not involve legal authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has detained" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a specific male person has taken someone into custody or has restricted their freedom. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has detained" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed to convey that a male individual has taken someone into custody. While relatively uncommon, its usage is straightforward, typically appearing in neutral to professional registers. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the actor's authority is crucial. Alternatives such as "he apprehended" or "he took into custody" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he held in custody

Emphasizes the state of being held after the initial detention.

he took into custody

A more formal and direct way of saying someone was detained, often used in official reports.

he arrested

Implies a formal legal arrest, which is a specific type of detention.

he placed under arrest

Similar to 'he arrested', emphasizing the formal process of arrest.

he apprehended

Replaces 'detained' with a term often used in law enforcement contexts, suggesting a more formal arrest.

he kept in confinement

Highlights the continuous state of being confined or isolated.

he confined

Focuses on the restriction of movement, which is a key aspect of detention.

he imprisoned

Suggests a more severe form of detention, implying a longer-term confinement.

he put in jail

A more informal way of saying someone was imprisoned or detained.

he impounded

While often used for objects, can also refer to detaining a person, though less common.

FAQs

What's the difference between "he has detained" and "he has arrested"?

"He has detained" is a broader term indicating someone is being held, while "he has arrested" implies a formal legal arrest and specific charges. Detention doesn't always lead to arrest, but arrest always involves detention.

What can I say instead of "he has detained"?

You can use alternatives like "he apprehended", "he took into custody", or "he held in custody" depending on the context.

Is "he has detained" formal or informal?

"He has detained" is generally considered neutral to formal, often used in news reports and official statements. More informal alternatives might include phrases like "he held him".

How to use "he has detained" in a sentence?

You can use "he has detained" in sentences like: "The police confirmed that he has detained the suspect for questioning" or "After the incident, he has detained the individual pending further investigation".