they got arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they got arrested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals were taken into custody by law enforcement. Example: "After the protest turned violent, they got arrested for disturbing the peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They got arrested.

The New Yorker

The idea of crime and punishment did not register at all because they felt even if they got arrested nothing happens to you.

The Guardian

"They got arrested not just for themselves but for their co-workers who maybe couldn't afford to have taken that big of a risk.

The Guardian - Money

(That is not the only bond: in 2004, a band of mercenaries planning to topple Mr. Obiang stopped off in Zimbabwe to pick up weapons. Instead of guns, they got arrested, and their leader was later extradited to Equatorial Guinea: call it professional courtesy).

The New York Times

The hoodie with a beef against Claire storyline wasn't the only one in this episode that left me feeling that the makers had taken receipt of a big consignment of daft and were offloading it on us as fast as possible before they got arrested for crimes against TV.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were youths clutching hard hats and cards with advice on what to do if they got arrested.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Even if they get arrested, they only get suspended sentences for the first offense and get deported.

The New York Times

"Even if they get arrested, not much is going to come of it," he said.

The New York Times - Style

"We can give advice to protesters, but we're not representing people if they get arrested," he went on.

The New Yorker

"Even when they get arrested, and for them that's no disgrace, they're making their deals.

The New York Times

"They get arrested, they go through the system, they're back out on the street again in 24 hours in another van".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they got arrested", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to. If the identity is unclear, specify the individuals or group involved.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the pronoun "they" has a clear and immediate referent. For instance, instead of saying, "After the protest, they got arrested", specify: "After the protest, the demonstrators got arrested".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they got arrested" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a group of individuals underwent the action of being arrested. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they got arrested" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group of individuals has been taken into custody by law enforcement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's primarily found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who "they" refers to. While "they got arrested" is appropriate in many cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "they were apprehended" or "they were taken into custody" depending on the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were apprehended

Focuses on the act of being caught, which is a component of being arrested.

they were taken into custody

Emphasizes the legal aspect of detention by law enforcement.

they were detained

Highlights the holding of someone, often temporarily.

they were busted

An informal way to say someone was caught, often implying illegal activity.

they were caught by the police

Specifies that the police were the ones who made the arrest.

they faced charges

Focuses on the legal consequences following an arrest.

they were charged with a crime

Highlights the specific charges brought against them.

they were brought to justice

Emphasizes the legal process after the arrest.

they were incarcerated

Focuses on the imprisonment aspect of the arrest.

they were put behind bars

An idiomatic expression for being imprisoned.

FAQs

What does "they got arrested" mean?

The phrase "they got arrested" means that a group of people were taken into custody by law enforcement, typically because they were suspected of committing a crime or violating a law.

What can I say instead of "they got arrested"?

You can use alternatives like "they were apprehended", "they were taken into custody", or "they were detained" depending on the context.

Is "they got arrested" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they got arrested" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of "get" to indicate that the action of being arrested has already occurred.

How formal is the phrase "they got arrested"?

The phrase "they got arrested" is considered relatively neutral in formality. More formal alternatives might include "they were apprehended" or "they were taken into custody".