it was recaptured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was recaptured" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was captured again after having been previously captured or lost. Example: "After a long chase, the escaped prisoner was finally found, and it was recaptured by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It was recaptured within weeks.

The Guardian

It was recaptured in August of the same year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1779 it was recaptured by the French, but it was restored to Britain in 1783.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was recaptured for the Christians by Alfonso VI in 1085.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The city's urban development was flavoured with the German and Japanese architecture until it was recaptured in 1949.

Cities

The police station was overrun, and when it was recaptured militia forces found the bodies of 11 beheaded police officers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The trappers had fixed a metal band to the harrier's leg, assigning it an identity should it be recaptured elsewhere or found dead.

The New York Times - Science

If it is recaptured in the future, the tag number and location is recorded, enabling a picture of the sharks' movements and breeding patterns to be built up.

The Guardian

A group of camouflaged men armed with automatic weapons stormed a police headquarters in the city late on Saturday and have since built a barricade to prevent it being recaptured.

BBC

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Vice

"It's recapturing the history of the city and its cultural genius that had been lost," said Professor Russo, who said the Palermo visit greatly energized this effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was recaptured" when referring to regaining control or possession of something after it had been lost or taken by someone else. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

While "it was recaptured" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider rewriting the sentence in the active voice if appropriate. For example, instead of "The city was recaptured by the army", try "The army recaptured the city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was recaptured" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (represented by "it") was subjected to the action of being retaken or regained. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and appropriate across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

36%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was recaptured" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of regaining something that was previously lost or seized. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts. While the phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives where suitable. Related phrases such as "it was regained" or "it was retaken" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was regained

Focuses on the act of getting something back, emphasizing the restoration of possession or control.

it was retaken

Highlights the act of taking something back, often implying a forceful or deliberate action.

it was reclaimed

Suggests a recovery of something that was rightfully owned or previously possessed.

it was recovered

Emphasizes the process of finding or retrieving something that was lost or stolen.

it was restored

Focuses on returning something to its original condition or state.

it was seized back

Emphasizes the act of forcefully taking something back.

it was won back

Highlights the effort or struggle involved in regaining something.

it was liberated

Implies freeing something from captivity or oppression.

it was rescued

Focuses on saving something from a dangerous or difficult situation.

it was reconquered

Suggests a military or strategic recapture after a period of enemy control.

FAQs

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

Use "it was recaptured" to indicate that something was taken back after being captured or lost. For instance, "The fort was initially seized by enemy forces, but "it was recaptured" a few weeks later".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was recaptured"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "it was regained", "it was retaken", or "it was recovered" as alternatives.

Is "it was recaptured back" grammatically correct?

No, "it was recaptured back" is redundant. The word "recaptured" already implies that something was taken back, so adding "back" is unnecessary and incorrect. Just use ""it was recaptured"".

What's the difference between "it was recaptured" and "it was liberated"?

"It was recaptured" implies regaining control or possession, often by the same entity that initially lost it. "It was liberated" suggests freeing something or someone from oppression or captivity, usually by a different entity.