in the custody of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the custody of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone or something is under the control or care of a specific person or authority. Example: "The evidence was found and is currently in the custody of the police department for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They found him in the custody of Border Patrol.

The New Yorker

He is in the custody of his extended family.

The New York Times

They remain in the custody of the state comptroller.

The New York Times

"It is in the custody of the medical examiner".

The New York Times

The son was released in the custody of his mother.

The New York Times - Sports

Afridi, meanwhile, is in the custody of Pakistan's intelligence agencies.

The Guardian

All are in the custody of the Border Patrol.

The New York Times

His children were put in the custody of his mother.

The New York Times

"They are now in the custody of the I.N.S".

The New York Times

Mr. Wang later left the consulate and is now in the custody of Chinese authorities.

The New York Times

In effect, they were in the custody of the Anglo-Danish company now known as G4S.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal documents and it's important to reflect in a neutral way about the control of someone over something else, consider using the phrase "in the custody of".

Common error

Avoid using "in the custody of" when simply referring to temporary possession or informal care. This phrase is most appropriate when indicating legal or official responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the custody of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that someone or something is under the care, control, or supervision of a specific authority. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Academia

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the custody of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is under the care, control, or supervision of an authority. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable, and it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "under the control of" and "under the care of". When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects the formal or legal context of the situation. Steer clear of less formal terms if precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the control of

Focuses on the aspect of being controlled rather than necessarily being cared for or protected.

under the care of

Emphasizes the aspect of being looked after or cared for, often used in contexts involving children or vulnerable individuals.

in the charge of

Highlights responsibility and oversight, suggesting a formal duty to manage or supervise.

in the keeping of

Stresses the act of holding and preserving something, suitable for objects or documents.

under detention by

Emphasizes the formal process of being held in custody, usually by law enforcement.

detained by

Specifically refers to being held by an authority, often in a legal or criminal context.

imprisoned by

Implies incarceration or confinement as a result of legal action or captivity.

held by

A general term indicating possession or containment, applicable in various situations.

within the power of

Highlights the authority and control one entity has over another, suggesting dominance or jurisdiction.

entrusted to

Suggests a level of faith or reliability of the individual or authority now responsible.

FAQs

How is "in the custody of" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "in the custody of" is used to indicate that someone or something is under the care, control, or supervision of a specific authority or person. For example, "The suspect is "in the custody of" the police".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the custody of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "under the care of", "under the control of", or "in the charge of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in custody by" instead of "in the custody of"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "in the custody of". Saying "in custody by" is grammatically incorrect and not commonly used.

What is the difference between "in the custody of" and "detained by"?

"In the custody of" generally refers to a broader range of care or control, while "detained by" specifically implies that someone is being held against their will, typically by law enforcement or other authorities.