is still in custody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is still in custody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone remains detained by law enforcement or authorities. Example: "The suspect is still in custody while the investigation continues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Mr. Gizawy is still in custody.

The New York Times

"He is still in custody at this time," Norton adds.

Independent

He is still in custody, according to officials and activists.

The New York Times

He said the prisoner, who is still in custody, was not seriously hurt.

The New York Times

Her husband was detained on 12 January and is still in custody, rights groups said.

The Guardian

Mr Meguerba is still in custody in Algeria, although his fate there remains unclear.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They were still in custody on Monday.

The New York Times

The men are still in custody.

The Guardian

Three are of those arrested are still in custody.

The Guardian

The aide said Mr. Muttawakil was still in custody in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Many are still in custody, and, says the monk, it is "very tense".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal cases, use "is still in custody" to clearly indicate that an individual remains detained and has not been released. This phrase is particularly useful in news reports and legal documents to provide updates on the status of individuals involved in legal proceedings.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because someone "is still in custody", they will inevitably be charged or convicted. Custody is a temporary state pending investigation or trial, not a guarantee of a specific legal outcome. Ensure neutrality in your writing by acknowledging that the individual's status could change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is still in custody" primarily functions as a predicate in sentences, indicating the ongoing state of someone being detained by authorities. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing legal status after an arrest or during an investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is still in custody" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who remains detained by law enforcement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most frequently used in News & Media to report on legal cases and ongoing investigations. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid assumptions about the individual's guilt or innocence, as custody is a temporary status. Alternatives like "remains incarcerated" or "is still detained" can be used for variety. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is suitable for neutral and factual reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is currently in detention

Adds 'currently' to emphasize the present state of detention, providing a slight temporal focus.

is still detained

Substitutes 'custody' with 'detained', focusing on the act of being held rather than the legal status.

remains in detention

Similar to 'is still detained', but uses 'detention' as a noun to highlight the state of being held.

remains incarcerated

Replaces 'custody' with a more formal term, 'incarcerated', which emphasizes imprisonment.

continues to be held

Highlights the ongoing nature of the detainment.

is still being held

Emphasizes the physical aspect of being held by authorities, rather than the legal implications.

is still imprisoned

Replaces 'custody' with 'imprisoned', stressing that the person is serving a prison sentence.

is still confined

Indicates a restriction of movement, similar to custody, but can also apply to non-legal situations.

has not been released

Focuses on the absence of release, rather than the state of being held.

is yet to be released

Emphasizes that the person's release is anticipated but has not yet occurred.

FAQs

What does "is still in custody" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "is still in custody" means that a person who has been arrested or detained remains in the physical control of law enforcement or correctional authorities. They have not been released on bail, acquitted, or transferred to another form of supervision.

What can I say instead of "is still in custody"?

You can use alternatives like "remains incarcerated", "is still detained", or "remains in detention" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was still in custody"?

Yes, "was still in custody" is grammatically correct. It indicates that someone was in custody at a specific point in the past, but it doesn't necessarily imply their current status.

What's the difference between "is still in custody" and "is being held"?

"Is still in custody" typically implies a legal process, such as arrest or detention by law enforcement. "Is being held" is a broader term that could refer to any situation where someone's freedom is restricted, not necessarily involving legal authorities. While they can overlap, "is being held" doesn't automatically imply legal custody.