recaptured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recaptured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of capturing something again, whether it be a physical object, a concept, or an emotion. Example: "The artist recaptured the essence of the original painting in her new work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although they were never recaptured, Piechowski relived his time in the camp in flashbacks and nightmares.

The Guardian

Humayun recaptured the fort 15 years later, but soon after tripped down the stairs of the library and died.

The Guardian

You start to think about the other players who have had that type of injury and never really recaptured it their form, players who never really got back to the level they were at before".

The Guardian - Sport

It is sad that he never recaptured the political heights despite bursts of brilliance, and never found a new political role big enough for his talents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tigers and other animals were able to briefly escape from the Tiger Safari park after a tornado struck the city of Tuttle, about 30 miles (48km) south-west of Oklahoma City, though they were recaptured without further incident, the Grady County Sheriff's Office said.

The Guardian

Born in Shoeburyness, Essex, Hopcraft soon moved to Cannock, Staffordshire; days which were recaptured in his autobiography of that childhood, The Great Apple Raid (1970).

The Guardian

Major towns such as Bama and Dikwa are among 36 localities recaptured, with just three said to be still in rebel hands.

The Guardian

The incident highlighted possible co-ordination problems among the allies, as Chadian troops, who had recaptured the town, had withdrawn but were not replaced, according to residents.

The Guardian

And they have tightened their grip on Kirkuk city and the northern half of Kirkuk province (Tamim to the Arabs), which they seized in the summer after the Iraqi security forces fled.But few independent observers think Mosul will be recaptured soon.

The Economist

In the south-east, close to the border with Iran, the Peshmerga have consolidated around Jalawla and Saadiya, which they recaptured from IS in the autumn.

The Economist

In the mountainous Sinjar area in the north-west, they have retaken the town of Zumar and the border town of Rabia, and have recaptured most of Sinjar city.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a military or strategic situation, use "recaptured" to emphasize the act of regaining territory or assets previously held by an enemy. This highlights the effort and struggle involved.

Common error

Be careful not to use "recaptured" when "recovered" is more appropriate. "Recaptured" implies regaining something taken by an adversary, while "recovered" suggests finding something lost or returning to a normal state.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recaptured" is as the past participle of the verb 'recapture'. It often functions as an adjective describing something that has been captured again, as demonstrated by Ludwig in the numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recaptured" functions as a past participle denoting the act of regaining something lost, often through deliberate effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in "News & Media", as well as "Formal & Business" contexts. While commonly used, it's crucial to distinguish its precise meaning from similar terms like "recovered" and "reclaimed". Employ "recaptured" to emphasize a regain, particularly within a strategic or adversarial context. "Recaptured" is a versatile term, but careful consideration of the context ensures accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retaken

Similar in meaning, but "retaken" emphasizes the act of taking something back, whereas "recaptured" can also imply regaining something intangible.

regained

"Regained" is more general and can refer to recovering something lost, not necessarily through force or capture.

recovered

"Recovered" often implies a return to a previous state or condition, while "recaptured" focuses on regaining possession.

reclaimed

"Reclaimed" suggests asserting a right or claim to something, whereas "recaptured" implies a physical act of regaining.

retrieved

"Retrieved" implies finding and bringing something back, often something that was misplaced or hidden, not necessarily lost to an opponent.

secured again

This phrase emphasizes the action of making something safe or certain after it had been lost or compromised.

won back

"Won back" implies effort and competition to regain something, often used in contexts of sports or elections.

re-established control

This phrase refers specifically to regaining authority or power over something.

took back

A more informal way of saying "recaptured", implying a simple act of taking something again.

repossessed

"Repossessed" is typically used in legal or financial contexts, referring to taking back property due to a failure to meet obligations.

FAQs

How is "recaptured" used in a sentence?

"Recaptured" is used as a past participle of the verb "recapture", meaning to capture again or regain possession of something. For example, "The army "recaptured the fort" after a long battle."

What are some alternatives to "recaptured"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "retaken", "regained", or "recovered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "recaptured" and "reclaimed"?

Yes, "recaptured" implies a physical act of regaining something taken by force or cunning, while "reclaimed" suggests asserting a right or claim to something. For example, land can be "reclaimed from the sea", but a city is "recaptured from the enemy".

When is it appropriate to use "recaptured" over "recovered"?

"Recaptured" is best used when referring to regaining something that was seized or taken by an opponent or enemy. "Recovered" is more appropriate when something was lost, misplaced, or is returning to a normal state such as "recovered from illness". "Recaptured" indicates active regaining; "recovered" suggests finding or healing.