they were seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is taken or captured, often by force or authority. Example: "The authorities announced that they were seized during the raid on the illegal operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were seized, tortured and later shot.

The Guardian

They were seized on the BBC China.

The New York Times

But once back, they were seized by the Taliban.

The New York Times

As they left the airport, they were seized.

The Guardian

They were seized by the Secret Service and melted down.

The New York Times

Typically, they were seized by frogmen emerging out of the Sea of Japan.

The Economist

Immediately abridged and bowdlerized, they were seized upon by the prosperous young.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But as they left prison they were seized by masked figures and forced into unmarked cars.

The New Yorker

This allowed them to be shipped to the Sotheby's in London, where they were seized.

The New York Times - Arts

The crew insisted they had been in Iraqi waters when they were seized.

The Guardian

They were seized by Ansar Dine, an Islamist group that had recently occupied the village.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were seized" when you want to emphasize the action of something or someone being taken forcefully or authoritatively. Ensure that the context clearly identifies who did the seizing and what was seized.

Common error

Avoid using "they were seized" without a clear understanding of who or what performed the seizing action. Ensure the context makes it evident, or rephrase to an active voice for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were seized" functions as a passive construction. It describes an action (seizing) performed upon a subject (they) by an implied or stated agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were seized" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that indicates a taking or capture, often by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it appears most frequently in news and encyclopedic contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity about who or what performed the seizing action. Alternatives such as "they were captured" or "they were apprehended" can be used depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were apprehended

Focuses on the act of being caught or arrested by authorities.

they were captured

Emphasizes the act of being taken prisoner or caught in a conflict.

they were confiscated

Highlights the act of having possessions or items taken away, usually by authorities.

they were taken into custody

Specifies the act of being officially detained by law enforcement.

they were detained

Refers to being held or kept in official custody, often temporarily.

they were seized upon

Implies that something was eagerly taken advantage of or exploited.

they were intercepted

Focuses on something being stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination.

they were nabbed

An informal way of saying they were caught or arrested.

they were impounded

Used when vehicles or goods are officially taken and held.

they were wrestled away

Suggests a physical struggle or forceful removal.

FAQs

How can I use "they were seized" in a sentence?

Use "they were seized" to describe a situation where something or someone has been taken forcefully or authoritatively. For example, "The illegal goods /s/they+were+seized during the raid."

What is a good alternative to "they were seized"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they were captured", "they were confiscated", or "they were apprehended".

What's the difference between "they were seized" and "they were captured"?

"They were seized" implies a more formal or legal taking, whereas "they were captured" often suggests being taken prisoner or caught in a conflict.

Is it always necessary to specify who seized them when using "they were seized"?

While not always explicitly stated, the context should imply who performed the seizing action. If it's unclear, it's better to rephrase for clarity, possibly using the active voice.