it was confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an item that has been taken away by an authority, typically due to a violation of rules or laws. Example: "The security officer informed me that my backpack was too large for the flight, and unfortunately, it was confiscated at the gate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was confiscated 10 days after its premiere and its director charged first with obscenity and later murder, a situation not helped by the fact that its four main actors signed contracts demanding they avoid the media for a year.

The Guardian - Film

An Austrian museum has announced plans to return a precious Gustav Klimt painting to the heir of its rightful owner after researchers discovered it was confiscated by Nazis during the second world war.

The Guardian

Not only that, but at least one more tyrannosaur (a Tarbosaurus) has recently been repatriated to Mongolia after it was confiscated in the US following its illegal export.

The Guardian

Its fortunes declined significantly in the 1700s, and in 1835 it was confiscated by the Spanish government and sold to private owners who used its buildings to shelter farm animals.

Wikipedia

The National Gallery of Art here in Washington has determined that Frans Snyders' "Still Life With Fruit and Game," from its collection, had been owned by a family in Paris before it was confiscated by the Nazis and ended up in the hands of a Luftwaffe officer.

The New York Times

It was confiscated at Norfolk, Va., upon arrival, but was sent back to him shortly thereafter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The agency also called on stores and restaurants to remove from stock any Viva cantaloupe and said it was confiscating all cantaloupe imported from two Mexican companies.

The New York Times

North Korea said it was confiscating a culture center, a spa and three other buildings owned by the South Korean government to compensate for the losses it has suffered since South Korea suspended tours to the Diamond Mountain resort in the North.

The New York Times

North Korea said it was confiscating five buildings at the Diamond Mountain resort — a spa, a cultural center, a fire station, a duty-free shop and a reunion center for families separated by the Korean War — to compensate for the losses it says it has suffered since South Korea suspended tours to the resort, which is in the North.

The New York Times

Using it in class just invites confiscation, and if it's confiscated, you can't guarantee that your teacher will treat it with the same care you would.

WikiHow

Most pupils now comply, but if a teacher spots a phone it is confiscated, put in the school safe and a parent is called to collect it at the end of the day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was confiscated" when referring to items taken due to legal or regulatory violations. This term is appropriate for describing actions by authorities, such as governments or law enforcement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was confiscated" without specifying who did the confiscating. This can create confusion and weaken your writing. Always aim for clarity by including the agent when relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was confiscated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an unspecified agent performed the action of confiscating something. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was confiscated" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the act of something being taken away by an authority. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly employed in news and media, as well as in more formal contexts, to convey a sense of official action or legal consequence. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the agent of confiscation when relevant and consider alternative phrases like "it was seized" or "it was impounded" depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid ambiguity by clearly indicating who or what authority performed the confiscation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was seized

Emphasizes the act of taking something forcefully or officially.

it was impounded

Specifically refers to something being officially taken into legal custody, often a vehicle.

it was appropriated

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

it was requisitioned

Implies that something was officially requested and taken for public use.

it was expropriated

Specifically refers to the state taking private property for public use, often with compensation.

it was commandeered

Suggests taking control of something, often temporarily, for military or emergency purposes.

it was forfeited

Indicates that something was lost as a penalty for wrongdoing.

it was reclaimed

Indicates something was recovered by the family after confiscation.

it was sequestrated

Means it was subject to legal seizure or sequestration, usually temporarily.

it was distrained

Indicates that property was seized for non-payment of debt.

FAQs

How can I use "it was confiscated" in a sentence?

You can use "it was confiscated" to describe something that has been seized by an authority. For example, "The illegal shipment of goods "it was confiscated" by customs officials."

What's a synonym for "it was confiscated"?

Synonyms include "it was seized", "it was impounded", or "it was appropriated", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the manner and reason for the taking.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "confiscate"?

While "it was confiscated" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The police confiscated it") can make your writing more direct and clearer. Choose the voice that best suits the context and emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it was confiscated" and "it was stolen"?

"It was confiscated" implies seizure by an authority, usually due to a violation of rules or laws. "It was stolen" means it was taken illegally, typically by theft.