make an arrest of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an arrest of him" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "make an arrest of him" is awkward and not commonly used; instead, "arrest him" is preferred. Example: "The police were instructed to arrest him immediately after the investigation concluded."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The policeman hated to give him a ticket, but the selectmen were after him to make an arrest of some kind.

The New Yorker

When cops make an arrest of a suspect that resists, they overcome them with numbers, so as not to injure themselves.

University of California, Berkeley

We're hoping to make an arrest out of this.

Vice

The officers could not have made an arrest of Davis for illegal possession of coupons, for which he was later tried, on mere suspicion.

Cornell University

They were making an arrest of a young man.

Los Angeles Times

If the officer does make an arrest, a different form of diversion may be used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Police made an arrest in 18 of the cases.

The Washington Post

According to the accompanying description, the video shows the police in the process of making an arrest, one of roughly 200 on Tuesday morning.

The New York Times

Those who had been victims of similar crimes felt I should make an example of him and pursue arrest.

The New York Times

They made an arrest and eventually one of the group was convicted of an offence.

BBC

The panel noted that under Virginia law, the officers should have issued a summons instead of making an arrest.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the simpler and more direct phrase "arrest him" instead of the wordy "make an arrest of him". This makes your writing clearer and more concise.

Common error

Avoid using unnecessarily complex phrasing. The construction "make an arrest of him" can be replaced with the simpler "arrest him" to enhance clarity and readability. Overly formal language can sometimes detract from the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an arrest of him" functions as a verbal phrase describing the act of taking someone into custody. However, it is a less common and more verbose way of expressing a simple action. As per Ludwig AI, it is grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make an arrest of him" is technically understandable, it is not the most effective choice for modern writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically awkward and verbose. A more direct option is simply "arrest him". This improves clarity and conciseness. This alternative phrase has a higher impact and is easier to understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrest him

This is the most direct and common way to express the action of arresting someone.

take him into custody

This phrase emphasizes the act of detaining someone under legal authority.

place him under arrest

This phrase emphasizes the formal declaration of an arrest.

apprehend him

This is a more formal way of saying to arrest someone, often used in official reports.

take him into detention

Similar to "take him into custody", but specifically implies detention.

detain him

This suggests a temporary holding, but can lead to arrest.

bring him in

This is a more colloquial way of saying to arrest someone, often used in informal conversation.

seize him

This suggests a forceful taking into custody.

capture him

This emphasizes the act of gaining control over someone, leading to their arrest.

nab him

A very informal and colloquial term for arresting someone.

FAQs

What is the most common way to say "make an arrest of him"?

The most common and grammatically correct way to say "make an arrest of him" is to simply say "arrest him".

Is "make an arrest of him" grammatically correct?

While the individual words are correct, the phrase "make an arrest of him" is considered awkward and uncommon. It's better to use the more direct "arrest him".

What are some alternatives to "make an arrest of him" that sound more natural?

More natural-sounding alternatives include "arrest him", "take him into custody", or "apprehend him".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "make an arrest of him", and why is it less preferred?

The phrase "make an arrest of him" might be found in older texts or legal documents, but it is less preferred in modern usage due to its wordiness. Simpler alternatives like "arrest him" are generally preferred for clarity and conciseness.