seize

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "seize" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to taking hold of something or grasping an opportunity. Example: "She decided to seize the moment and speak her mind." Alternative expressions include "grab," "take hold of," and "capture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

Yemen says it has foiled an al-Qaida plot to blow up oil pipelines and seize some of the country's main ports, but security remains tight and hundreds of armoured vehicles have been deployed to protect key targets.

The Guardian

Rusbridger says there will be a legal challenge over whether the police were entitled to seize Miranda's material.

The Guardian

It is coping with the stream of people who seize their chance to trot out the one theatrical phrase that everybody on the planet knows.

The Guardian

The government ordered these forced deportations in 1915, and then passed laws to seize their lands and homes and churches on the pretext that they had been "abandoned".

The Guardian - Books

Introducing pre-moderation, for instance, would easily prevent abuse; but would also cost a lot, and remove a lot of value advertisers see in the service, as they would no longer be able to seize on trends for "rapid response" advertising.

The Guardian - Tech

Related: Ukraine pro-Russia forces seize strategic Debaltseve railway hub despite truce Vladimir Putin sought to delay the ceasefire by 10 days because he wanted to give separatists time to capture the town, an EU summit was told last week.

The Guardian

Sexton has never witnessed a white-tailed eagle actually seize a lamb.

The Guardian

Related: A chance to save Syria that world leaders must seize this week| Letter from David Miliband, Philip Luther and others Taken from 500 miles above the Earth, the satellite images have permitted a comparison of night-time light levels in March 2011 and in February 2014.

The Guardian

"A lot of people had anticipated that after a referendum victory the Labour party would become more confident and seize the agenda, and the opposite happened.

The Guardian

Critics may also seize on the declining ratings as evidence that Christmas TV is not as good as it once was.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seize" in the context of opportunities, ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being gained or achieved by seizing the opportunity. For example: "Seize the initiative to demonstrate leadership".

Common error

Avoid using "seize" in passive constructions where the agent doing the seizing is unclear or omitted. A sentence like "The opportunity was seized" is less effective than "The company seized the opportunity" because it lacks clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "seize" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being taken, grasped, or captured. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "seize" is followed by a noun or noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sport

10%

Tech

6%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Business

3%

Culture

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "seize" is grammatically correct and frequently used to describe the act of taking hold of something, whether physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, from news and media to sports and technology. While the word exhibits a neutral register, it is important to avoid using it in passive constructions to maintain clarity and directness. Consider alternatives like "capture", "grab", or "exploit" depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Ultimately, "seize" is a versatile word that can add impact to your writing when used thoughtfully and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Capitalize on

Emphasizes leveraging an advantage or opportunity for gain. Similar to "seize" in the context of opportunities but more business-oriented.

Take hold of

Focuses on the physical act of grabbing or holding something firmly. Differs from "seize" in its reduced implication of force or authority.

Take advantage of

Focuses on using an opportunity, sometimes implying a lack of consideration for others. Similar to "seize" but with potentially negative undertones.

Grasp

Can refer to both physically taking hold of something and understanding an idea. Similar to "seize" in the context of understanding.

Capture

Emphasizes gaining control or possession, often through force or strategy. Less applicable to abstract opportunities than "seize".

Exploit

Specifically refers to making the most of an opportunity, sometimes with a negative connotation of unfairness. Differs from "seize" in its focus on benefit.

Grab

Implies a quick or sudden taking of something. More informal than "seize" and less suitable for formal contexts.

Confiscate

Involves taking possession of something by authority, often in a legal or official context. Differs from "seize" in its emphasis on legality.

Snatch

Suggests a forceful and often illicit taking. Has a stronger negative connotation than "seize".

Impound

Refers to officially taking possession of something, usually temporarily. More specific than "seize" and often related to legal processes.

FAQs

How is "seize" typically used in a sentence?

The word "seize" is commonly used to describe taking hold of something, either physically or metaphorically, like an opportunity. For instance, "She decided to "seize the day"" or "The police "seized the evidence"".

What are some alternative words to "seize"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "capture", "grab", "take hold of", or "exploit" as alternatives to "seize". Each carries slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "seize the opportunity" or "take the opportunity"?

Both phrases are correct, but "seize the opportunity" implies a more proactive and decisive action compared to "take the opportunity", which can be more passive.

What's the difference between "seize" and "grasp"?

"Seize" often implies taking something quickly or forcefully, while "grasp" can refer to both physically holding something and understanding an idea. You might "seize control" of a situation, but you "grasp a concept".