he was arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was arrested" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an event in which someone was taken into police custody. For example, "The police arrived and John was arrested for breaking the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then he was arrested.

The New York Times

Instead, he was arrested.

The New York Times

He was arrested Saturday.

The New York Times

He was arrested.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was arrested Wednesday morning.

The New York Times

He was arrested soon afterward.

The New York Times

One day he was arrested.

The New Yorker

He was arrested numerous times.

The New Yorker

He was arrested in January.

The New York Times

"He was arrested in Dubai".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was arrested a few days later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on an arrest, specify the charges against the individual for greater clarity. For example, instead of just saying "he was arrested", you could say "he was arrested for drunk driving".

Common error

Avoid using "he was arrested" interchangeably with "he was convicted". An arrest is only the beginning of the legal process; a conviction implies a guilty verdict in court.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was arrested" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a person has been taken into legal custody. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was arrested" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to report that someone has been taken into police custody. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in neutral contexts like news and media, the phrase serves the primary purpose of communicating a factual event. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the charges against the individual and avoid confusing it with a conviction. Alternatives like "he was apprehended" or "he was detained" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was apprehended

This alternative focuses on the act of capture, implying a direct intervention by law enforcement to take someone into custody.

he was taken into custody

This phrase emphasizes the legal process of being placed under the control of law enforcement.

he was detained

This alternative suggests a temporary holding, which may or may not lead to a formal arrest.

he was charged

Focuses on the formal accusation of a crime, which often follows an arrest.

he was taken in by the police

Describes the act of being brought to a police station or headquarters.

he was caught

This is a more general term implying discovery and capture after committing an act.

he faced arrest

This highlights the moment arrest was imminent and actually happened.

an arrest was made

This is a passive construction that emphasizes the action of arresting rather than the person arrested.

he was put behind bars

This indicates imprisonment following an arrest.

he found himself in jail

This focuses on the consequence of being arrested, which is imprisonment.

FAQs

What does "he was arrested" mean?

The phrase "he was arrested" means that someone has been taken into custody by law enforcement, typically because they are suspected of committing a crime.

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

You can use alternatives like "he was apprehended", "he was detained", or "he was taken into custody" depending on the specific context.

Is it accurate to say "he was arrested" if someone was only questioned by police?

No, being questioned by police is not the same as being arrested. "He was arrested" specifically means that the person was taken into custody and formally charged.

What usually happens after someone "he was arrested"?

After "he was arrested", the individual is usually processed at a police station, which may include fingerprinting, photographing, and being informed of their rights. They may then be held in jail pending arraignment or released on bail.