it has detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has detained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something being held or kept in custody or confinement. Example: "The authorities have confirmed that it has detained several individuals for questioning regarding the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Because the U.S. Navy has brought the pirates it has detained to its large base in Norfolk, there has been a string of prosecutions in Virginia.

The Washington Post

Since then it has detained some 5,000 of its members and vilified its leader, Li Hongzhi, who has the good fortune to live in the United States.

The Economist

"This government has said that in its two years in power it has detained 14,000 drug traffickers," he said.

The New York Times

It has detained doctors who treated injured demonstrators.

Independent

It has detained terrorists without formal charges, interrogating some harshly.

The New York Times

The government has said it has detained four Chinese-born senior executives from Glaxo's China operations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

B6 SCIENTISTS DETAINED -- Pakistan said it had detained two retired nuclear scientists after the recent discovery of documents describing ways to use anthrax as a weapon and other suspicious material in offices frequented by them in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Rwanda said it had adopted "stringent measures" to prohibit support for the rebels from its territory and that it had detained 67 rebels.

The New York Times

North Korea acknowledged that it had detained an American for illegally crossing into its territory from China, the second United States citizen to be held as the North's dispute with Washington over its nuclear weapons program continues.

The New York Times

And yet, even as France grapples with its own complicity in Nazi terror, Hungary announced on Wednesday that it had detained a man who may be the single oldest Nazi-era war crimes suspect still alive.

The New York Times

On June 23rd, the government of Malawi announced that it had detained five al-Qaeda suspects.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has detained", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context implies a formal holding or confinement, often by authorities.

Common error

Avoid using "it have detained"; the correct form for a singular subject is "it has detained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has detained" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject (often an organization or authority) has taken someone into custody. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has detained" is grammatically correct and commonly employed in news and media contexts to report on official detentions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable phrase for conveying that an entity has taken someone into custody. While alternatives exist, "it has detained" maintains a neutral and informative tone, making it suitable for formal reporting and factual statements. It's important to use the correct subject-verb agreement and to be mindful of the formality of the context when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it took into custody

Replaces "detained" with a more descriptive phrase, indicating the act of taking someone into custody.

it apprehended

Uses a more formal verb, "apprehended", to convey the act of seizing someone.

it arrested

Specifies the detention as an arrest, suggesting formal charges may follow.

it had in custody

Rephrases the action to emphasize the state of being in custody.

it placed under arrest

More formal and detailed way to say "arrested".

it confined

Focuses on the act of limiting someone's freedom of movement.

it held captive

Emphasizes the element of captivity and potential lack of freedom.

it impounded

Implies the seizure of property or goods, in addition to or instead of a person.

it took prisoner

Highlights the act of taking someone as a prisoner.

it interned

Suggests confinement, often during wartime or political unrest.

FAQs

What does "it has detained" mean?

The phrase "it has detained" means that someone or something has been taken into custody or confined, typically by an authority or organization.

What can I say instead of "it has detained"?

You can use alternatives like "it took into custody", "it apprehended", or "it arrested" depending on the context.

Is "it has detained" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has detained" is generally considered neutral to formal, and commonly used in news reports and official statements. Less formal contexts may use alternatives like "held" or "captured".

How do I use "it has detained" in a sentence?

For example: "The army is insisting it will allow them to go ahead, even though "it has detained" many of the Brotherhood's top leaders."