he was apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to law enforcement or situations where someone is taken into custody or captured. Example: "After a lengthy investigation, he was apprehended by the police late last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was apprehended soon after.

The New York Times

He was apprehended quickly.

The Washington Post

He was apprehended only in 2008.

The New York Times

He was apprehended 40 minutes later".

The New York Times

But he was apprehended near Madison, Wis.

The Washington Post

He was apprehended as he returned to his base.

The New York Times

At the moment of boarding the plane he was apprehended.

The New Yorker

He was apprehended and charged with murder and armed robbery.

The New York Times

He was apprehended in Pakistan in early 2002.

The New York Times

He was apprehended in the early stages of planning.

The New Yorker

He was apprehended on the Pakistani border in November 2001.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was apprehended" in formal writing, especially when referring to legal or official captures. It provides a more precise and professional tone compared to informal alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "he was apprehended" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "he was caught" or "he was arrested" to maintain a natural and appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was apprehended" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject ('he') was the recipient of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The examples demonstrate its use in describing captures by law enforcement or other authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

20%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was apprehended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction signifying that someone has been taken into custody. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its formality makes it suitable for news reporting, legal documentation, and formal writing. While alternatives like "he was arrested" or "he was captured" exist, "he was apprehended" provides a slightly more elevated and precise tone. It's mostly common in news and media and academic source types.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was arrested

Replaces "apprehended" with the more common and direct term "arrested".

he was captured

Uses "captured" to emphasize the act of taking someone into custody, potentially in a non-legal context.

he was taken into custody

Formal and emphasizes the legal process of detaining someone.

he was seized

Emphasizes a forceful taking of someone into control.

he was detained

Suggests a temporary holding, often for questioning or investigation.

the authorities apprehended him

Changes the sentence structure to put emphasis on the authorities doing the action.

police apprehended him

More specific in identifying who did the apprehension.

he got caught

Informal way to say he was apprehended.

he was nabbed

Informal and suggests a quick or sudden apprehension.

he was caught

Implies the subject was caught in the act.

FAQs

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

"He was apprehended" is a more formal way of saying someone was taken into custody, while "he was arrested" specifically implies a legal arrest. "Apprehended" can sometimes refer to being caught in a more general sense.

When is it appropriate to use "he was apprehended"?

Use "he was apprehended" in formal writing, news reports, or legal documents when describing someone being taken into custody by authorities. It's suitable when you want a precise and slightly more elevated tone.

What are some alternatives to "he was apprehended"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he was captured", "he was detained", "he was taken into custody", or, more informally, "he was caught".

Is "he was apprehended" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he was apprehended" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using the past participle of "apprehend", indicating that someone was the recipient of the action of being apprehended.