he was detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is held in custody or prevented from leaving a place, often by law enforcement. Example: "After the protest, he was detained by the police for questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was detained again.

The New Yorker

He was detained in July.

The Economist

He was detained for months.

The New York Times

He was detained three times.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, he was detained.

The New York Times

Within four days he was detained.

The Economist

He was detained there in July 2012.

The New York Times

He was detained for 104 days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In that room he was detained continuously one week.

Cornell University

He was detained on the spot.

The Guardian - Books

That was just before he was detained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal matters, use "he was detained" to indicate that a person is being held for questioning but hasn't necessarily been formally charged with a crime. This avoids potentially libelous implications of guilt before due process.

Common error

Avoid using "he was detained" interchangeably with "he was arrested". Detainment implies a temporary holding for investigation, while arrest signifies formal charges have been filed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was detained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of the action of being detained. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used in news and media when reporting on legal or political situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was detained" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase primarily used in news and media to report on individuals being held in custody for investigation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for factual reporting. When using this phrase, remember that it implies temporary holding and does not necessarily mean the person has been formally charged. Alternatives such as "he was arrested" or "he was apprehended" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Key authoritative sources for this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was arrested

Specifically refers to being taken into legal custody.

he was taken into custody

A more formal way of saying "he was arrested".

he was apprehended

Implies capture by law enforcement, often after a pursuit.

he was held

A general term for being kept in a certain place against one's will.

he was seized

Implies a forceful or sudden taking.

he was confined

Suggests restriction to a limited space.

he was captured

Suggests being taken as a prisoner, often in a military context.

he was imprisoned

Refers to being held in a prison.

he was interned

Often used in the context of wartime or political imprisonment.

he was impounded

Often refers to property, but can be used metaphorically for a person.

FAQs

What does "he was detained" mean?

The phrase "he was detained" means that someone was held in custody or prevented from leaving a place, usually by law enforcement, for questioning or investigation. It does not necessarily mean that the person has been formally arrested or charged with a crime.

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

While both phrases indicate a loss of freedom, "he was detained" suggests a temporary holding for questioning or investigation, whereas "he was arrested" signifies that formal charges have been filed against the person. Detainment can lead to arrest, but it isn't always the case.

Can I use "he was apprehended" instead of "he was detained"?

Yes, in some contexts you can use "he was apprehended" as an alternative to "he was detained". However, "apprehended" often implies that the person was caught after attempting to evade capture, which might not be the case with a simple detainment.

What are some other alternatives to "he was detained"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives such as "he was taken into custody", "he was held", or "he was seized". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.