kept in custody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in custody" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to someone being held by authorities, such as the police or a court, usually while awaiting trial or further legal proceedings. Example: "The suspect was kept in custody for 48 hours before being released on bail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had been about to receive medical attention for her leg when she was arrested, and was kept in custody despite repeatedly complaining of serious ill-health and begging to be taken to hospital, the Weekend Australian reported.

The Guardian

Assange is kept in custody.

The Guardian

Thus, he can no longer be kept in custody.

The Washington Post

Both men were kept in custody in lieu of bail.

The New York Times

Could we be kept in custody all weekend?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Drug offenders are no longer kept in custody," said Gregory.

The Guardian

He could then have been kept in custody for interrogation for several weeks.

Independent

Loft, who was kept in custody over the weekend, is signed off work with depression.

The Guardian

His sons were pardoned, but Eleanor was kept in custody until her husband died.

Britannica

Three Russian gay rights campaigners were kept in custody and charged with disobeying police.

The Guardian

Nemmouche can be kept in custody until Thursday under French anti-terrorism laws.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or criminal justice topics, use "kept in custody" to clearly indicate that someone is being held by authorities. Ensure the context clarifies the reason for the custody, such as awaiting trial or further investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "kept in custody" when describing situations where someone is merely confined or restricted in movement without legal implications. For general confinement, use terms like "confined" or "detained" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in custody" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a state of legal confinement. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is typically employed in legal contexts to express that an individual is being held by authorities, such as the police or a court, usually while awaiting trial or further legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept in custody" is a common and grammatically sound expression primarily used in legal and journalistic contexts to describe the state of being legally detained or confined by authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As the analysis reveals, it's most frequently encountered in news reports, followed by encyclopedias and academic sources. Related phrases include "held in detention", "detained", and "imprisoned", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates the legal basis for the confinement. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's prevalence in describing legal proceedings and law enforcement actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken into custody

Focuses on the act of being apprehended and placed under control.

held under arrest

More clearly indicates that the person is being held due to a legal arrest.

held in detention

This alternative is more general and doesn't necessarily imply legal custody.

detained

A more concise and direct synonym for being held.

remanded in custody

A legal term indicating that a person is held in custody while awaiting trial.

imprisoned

Implies a longer period of confinement and a more formal setting.

incarcerated

Similar to "imprisoned" but often used in a legal or criminal justice context.

confined

A more general term for restricting someone's movement.

incarcerated in jail

Specifically refers to being held in a jail.

held captive

Suggests being held against one's will, often in a non-legal context.

FAQs

What does "kept in custody" mean in a legal context?

In legal terms, "kept in custody" refers to the state of being held by law enforcement or judicial authorities, typically while awaiting trial, further investigation, or sentencing. It signifies a formal detention under legal authority.

What's the difference between "kept in custody" and "held in detention"?

While both phrases indicate confinement, "kept in custody" often implies a more formal legal or judicial process, such as being held after an arrest. "Held in detention" can refer to a broader range of confinement scenarios, including immigration detention or military detention.

When should I use "kept in custody" instead of "arrested"?

"Arrested" describes the act of being taken into custody. "Kept in custody" describes the state of remaining in that legal confinement. You might say someone was arrested and is now being kept in custody.

What are some alternatives to using "kept in custody" in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "held in detention", "detained", "imprisoned", or "confined". The best choice depends on the specific nuances you want to convey about the nature and duration of the confinement.