he was located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was located" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the position or discovery of a person, often in contexts related to search and rescue, investigations, or geographical references. Example: "After hours of searching, he was located in a remote area of the forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The authorities said on Friday that he was located after Shin Bet received information about where he was hiding.

The New York Times

A police spokeswoman said she did not know where he was located or what condition he was in other than that he was alive.

The Guardian

Investigators from the New York Police Department were questioning Mr. Yates yesterday, who was placed under guard after he was located at a Philadelphia hospital.

The New York Times

But he added: "To carry out an operation in the places where he was located was hardly possible without putting our people at great risk.

The New York Times

He was located several days later, after his family made extensive enquiries about his whereabouts, with injuries consistent with torture, lawyers said.

The Guardian

When he was located, his correspondence was watched through a "mail cover" in Chicago, which noted the name and address of anyone who wrote to him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He was locating it.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was locating really well.

The New York Times - Sports

He was locating his fastball just under my hands".

The New York Times - Sports

"He was locating his fastball, elevating it perfectly, almost, tonight," Buck said of Harvey.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was locating the ball well, and he had good command of all of his pitches," Crede said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was located", consider the context. It's suitable for formal reports, news articles, and situations where a specific search or investigation led to finding someone. For less formal contexts, consider using "he was found".

Common error

Avoid using "he was located" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "he was found" or "he was there" sound more natural. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was located" functions as a passive construction indicating the result of finding or discovering someone's whereabouts. Ludwig AI confirms this through examples where it describes a process of search or investigation leading to the discovery of a person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was located" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it serves to report the discovery of someone's whereabouts following a search or investigation. While appropriate for formal and neutral communication, simpler alternatives like "he was found" may be more suitable for casual settings. Be mindful of the context and audience when choosing between these options to ensure your writing maintains the desired tone and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was found

Uses a more common and straightforward verb; directly implies discovery.

his whereabouts were discovered

Emphasizes the discovery of location rather than direct finding.

he was detected

Suggests a more technical or surveillance-oriented discovery.

his position was ascertained

Implies a formal or investigative confirmation of his place.

he was pinpointed

Indicates a precise determination of his position, possibly after a search.

he was identified

Focuses on confirming his identity and presence at a particular place.

he was tracked down

Implies a more persistent and challenging search before discovery.

he was situated

Describes his placement or position more passively.

his presence was established

Focuses on the confirmation of his existence at a place.

he turned up

Suggests a less formal and perhaps unexpected appearance or finding.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "he was located"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "he was found" or "he turned up", depending on the context.

Is "he was located" too formal for casual writing?

While grammatically correct, "he was located" can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Opt for phrases like "he was there" or "he was around" for a more natural tone.

How does "he was located" differ from "he was situated"?

"He was located" generally implies a process of finding, whereas "he was situated" describes his position or placement in a more static sense.

When is it best to use "he was located"?

Use "he was located" when you want to emphasize the result of a search or investigation. It's appropriate for formal reports, news articles, or official statements where precision is important.