impounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or administrative contexts to refer to something that has been seized or taken into custody, often by authorities. Example: "The vehicle was impounded due to unpaid parking tickets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is acutely aware that if, in another week, no arrests have been made, no cars impounded, no search warrants executed, the pressure will be truly on.

The Guardian

Attempts by some of Gaza's tunnel operators to shoot at Egypt's soldiers have prompted further reprisals; some goods have been impounded.

The Economist

Yet the revenue service reportedly impounded them and refused to release them until import duties and taxes were paid, apparently to the chagrin of the ruling party.Mr Zuma's presidency has at least four more years to run unless the ANC decides to "recall" him – as it did Mr Mbeki.

The Economist

Nor do many company liquidators have royal jets on their doorstep waiting to be impounded.

The Economist

As security, these banks took a pledge on BPI's holding in Antonveneta, the very shares that magistrates subsequently impounded on July 25th.

The Economist

That it was a grave error of judgment became obvious on July 25th when magistrates impounded BPI's shares (and those belonging to close allies) in Antonveneta.

The Economist

And Iran no longer turns a blind eye to Iraq's smuggling of oil through the Gulf; the Iranian navy has intercepted offending ships and impounded their cargoes.The two countries exist in what Iraq's foreign minister, on a recent visit to Iran, described as neither peace nor war.

The Economist

But convenient court rulings helped bring down two successive pro-Thaksin governments.Abhisit's chanceMr Thaksin's wealth has been impounded.

The Economist

In a 2010 poll of Brazilian scientists, three-quarters had seen research materials impounded by customs.

The Economist

Government sources say that UAE coastguards have impounded five sanctions-busting ships and their cargoes in the past year.

The Economist

It aims to abolish warrant sales, a peculiarly Scottish system of debt recovery under which people, mainly the poor, have their possessions impounded and sold by court-appointed officials.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impounded", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action and the reason for it. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impounded" in contexts where a simple 'seized' or 'confiscated' would suffice. "Impounded" often implies temporary custody by authorities, not permanent ownership transfer.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impounded" is as the past participle of the verb 'impound'. It's often used in passive voice constructions to indicate that something has been seized and taken into custody. Ludwig AI examples show its use in sentences describing actions taken by authorities or legal bodies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "impounded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term that indicates something has been officially seized and taken into custody, according to Ludwig AI. Primarily found in news and encyclopedic contexts, it carries a neutral to professional tone. When using "impounded", ensure the context specifies the authority performing the action and the reason behind it for clarity. While alternatives like "confiscated" or "seized" exist, "impounded" is most appropriate when referring to temporary custody by authorities. As highlighted by Ludwig, this term’s prevalence in formal sources makes it a valuable addition to professional vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confiscated

Refers to taking something away as a penalty or due to legal reasons; emphasizes the punitive aspect more strongly than "impounded".

seized

Indicates taking possession of something, often suddenly or forcibly; more general than "impounded".

confiscated by authorities

Specifies that the action was performed by an authority.

taken into custody

Implies that something has been taken under official control or protection, often temporarily.

detained

Suggests a temporary holding or restraint, often related to people or vehicles.

sequestered

Implies isolating or setting something apart, often for safekeeping or legal reasons.

attached

Refers to legally seizing property to satisfy a debt or claim.

taken possession of

Emphasizes the act of gaining control or ownership, which can be a broader concept than "impounded".

requisitioned

Implies taking something for official or public use, often temporarily.

appropriated

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

FAQs

What does "impounded" mean?

"Impounded" means that something has been seized and taken into legal custody. This often happens with vehicles or other property due to legal violations.

When is it appropriate to use "impounded"?

Use "impounded" when referring to property that has been seized by authorities, usually temporarily, as a consequence of breaking a law or regulation. For example, "The car was "towed" and "impounded" due to unpaid parking tickets".

What are some alternatives to "impounded"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "impounded" include "confiscated", "seized", or "detained". Choose the word that best reflects the specific situation.

Is "impounded" formal or informal?

"Impounded" is considered a neutral to formal term, commonly used in legal and news contexts. It is suitable for both professional and general communication.