he was disappeared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was disappeared" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
However, it is a somewhat informal phrase, so it is typically used in informal contexts. For example, you could say "When he didn't return home after two days, his family feared he was disappeared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

HONG KONG — The last time this happened, the last time he was grabbed by the Chinese authorities, he was "disappeared" for 60 days.

The New York Times

The story is an uncanny foretelling of the repression to come in Argentina, and in Walsh's own life; he was disappeared by the military in 1977, a day after publishing his now-famous "Letter from a Writer to the Military Junta".

The New Yorker

He was "disappeared" at this point, only to have his body found in 1933, after the fall of the Machado government.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was disappearing gradually as our competence grew.

The New York Times

She moved toward him as if he was disappearing, and her face became something he could see, and she reached out to him and she held his head.

The New Yorker

So he's disappeared.

The Guardian - Sport

Speaking at a Television Critics Association panel yesterday, he said: "He's disappeared into a tunnel and exfiltration system that Carrie has affected".

Independent

Tony Pulis after the Europa League draw sent Stoke to Turkey, Ukraine and Israel He's disappeared to Azerbaijan, or somewhere ridiculous in the world.

Independent

The next time the Guardian looks for Wiley he's disappeared – it turns out he's decided to change his flights and go home.

The Guardian - Music

He's disappeared the weekend before Alabama's special election.

Vice

I tried to track Justin down recently but it's like he's disappeared.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that while grammatically correct, this phrasing may sound informal in some contexts; consider using alternative phrasings depending on your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "he was disappeared" when you simply mean someone went missing or left. The phrase implies a deliberate act of making someone disappear, not just accidental or voluntary absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was disappeared" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject, "he", was the recipient of the action. It implies a deliberate act of making someone vanish, often with connotations of political repression or state-sponsored violence. Ludwig provides examples of this specific usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was disappeared" is a grammatically sound, though somewhat informal, passive construction used to describe a forced disappearance, as validated by Ludwig. While not suitable for highly formal writing, it's appropriate in news, personal narratives, and similar contexts. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in reporting on political repression and missing persons cases. Alternatives like "he was forcibly taken" or "he vanished without a trace" may be more appropriate depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. The phrase carries a specific connotation of intentional removal, distinguishing it from simple statements of someone being missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was taken into custody and never seen again

Highlights that the person was apprehended, and they were never heard from after that.

he was captured and never found

Highlights that the person was apprehended, and they were never heard from after that.

he was forcibly taken

Highlights the element of force or coercion in the removal of the person.

he was illegally detained

Focuses on the unlawful aspect of the detention, implying a violation of rights.

he was abducted

Implies kidnapping or unlawful taking of a person, suggesting a crime.

he vanished without a trace

Emphasizes the sudden and complete nature of the disappearance, lacking specific details about the cause.

he became a missing person

Indicates the official status of someone who has disappeared.

he went missing

A more general term for disappearance, without implying any particular cause or circumstance.

he was spirited away

Suggests a mysterious or secretive removal, often with a sense of urgency.

he was removed from sight

Focuses on the result of being no longer visible or present, but lacks specific details about the reason.

FAQs

What does "he was disappeared" mean?

The phrase "he was disappeared" typically means someone was forcibly taken and their whereabouts are unknown, often implying state-sponsored or politically motivated disappearance.

Is it correct to say "he was disappeared"?

Yes, "he was disappeared" is grammatically correct, though it is somewhat informal. It's typically used to describe forced disappearances. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

What's a more formal alternative to "he was disappeared"?

More formal alternatives include "he was forcibly taken", "he was abducted", or "he became a missing person under suspicious circumstances". See also "he was taken into custody and never seen again".

When should I use "he was disappeared" instead of "he went missing"?

"He was disappeared" suggests a deliberate act by a powerful entity to make someone vanish, whereas "he went missing" is a more general term that doesn't imply a specific cause or perpetrator. Alternatives like "he vanished without a trace" may also be appropriate.