they were apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are captured or taken into custody, often by law enforcement. Example: "After a lengthy investigation, they were apprehended by the police during a raid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They were apprehended in 2007 and confessed in 2009.

The New York Times

"They were apprehended because we had good information they were associated with Taliban activity," she said.

The New York Times

The following spring, they were apprehended in London while running an elaborate check-fraud scheme.

The New Yorker

They were apprehended when they arrived at the Australian consulate in Bali on Friday.

The Guardian

The DEA did not give the total number of those arrested or say where they were apprehended.

Independent

But on July 3, he and two traveling companions surfaced in China, where they were apprehended by the police.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Another contrast between the arts and the sciences is that they are apprehended in different ways.

Harvard Business Review

Even if they are apprehended, the cash transferred to overseas banks often remain the property of family members.

The New York Times

Under the current statute, minors from Mexico must be interviewed by border agents within 48 hours after they are apprehended.

The New York Times

After they are apprehended by Customs and Border Protection, undocumented adults are briefly put in criminal custody, and then transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICEE).

The New Yorker

"If they do, and they are apprehended, they will be transferred back to the country of legal residence under the rules of the Dublin regulation," say the EU interior ministers in a decision made on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were apprehended" when you want to maintain a formal or neutral tone in your writing, especially when discussing legal or law enforcement contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they were apprehended" in very informal or casual conversation; simpler terms like "caught" or "arrested" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were apprehended" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the individuals mentioned were the recipients of the action, rather than the initiators. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were apprehended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates individuals were caught and taken into custody. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for a variety of contexts, especially formal ones like news reports and legal documentation. While "they were arrested" or "they were captured" serve as alternatives, the core meaning remains consistent. The usage patterns reveal a strong presence in news and media, encyclopedia, and wiki sources, reinforcing its neutral to formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were arrested

Replaces "apprehended" with a more common synonym, "arrested".

they were captured

Substitutes "apprehended" with "captured", suggesting a seizing or taking into possession.

they were taken into custody

Rephrases the idea of being apprehended as being formally taken into custody.

they were seized

Uses "seized" in place of "apprehended", implying a forceful taking.

they were detained

Replaces "apprehended" with "detained", indicating a temporary holding.

authorities apprehended them

Changes the sentence structure to active voice.

police took them in

Uses a more informal and colloquial way to indicate capture.

law enforcement caught them

Employs "caught" instead of "apprehended", creating a simpler phrasing.

they were picked up

Replaces "apprehended" with a more casual term, "picked up".

they were secured

Uses "secured" to mean they were apprehended and placed in a safe location.

FAQs

What does "they were apprehended" mean?

The phrase "they were apprehended" means that individuals were caught and taken into custody, typically by law enforcement or authorities.

What can I say instead of "they were apprehended"?

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

Is "they were apprehended" formal or informal?

"They were apprehended" is considered a formal and neutral way of saying someone was caught. More informal options include "they were caught".

When is it appropriate to use "they were apprehended"?

It is appropriate to use "they were apprehended" in formal writing, news reports, or when discussing legal or official matters. It's suitable when a neutral or slightly elevated tone is desired.