to be detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being held or kept in custody, often by law enforcement or authorities. Example: "The suspect was taken into custody and is expected to be detained for further questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those passengers will continue to be detained.

The New York Times

Children continued to be detained for more than 72 hours.

Independent

Both are believed to be detained in Beijing.

The New York Times

Mrs. Ridley knows how it feels to be detained.

The New York Times

Caesar, rejoicing that they had fallen into his power, ordered them to be detained.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr Suthep also called for the prime minister herself to be "detained".

The Economist

The judge ordered Mr. Ríos Montt to be detained under house arrest.

The New York Times

Mr. Chen is the second journalist from The New Express to be detained in recent months.

The New York Times

The new Prevention of Terrorism Act allows suspects to be detained indefinitely.

The Economist

Tulloch, of Herne Hill, south London, was ordered to be detained for 10 years.

Independent

Like the ISA, it allows people to be detained without charge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly indicates who is detaining the individual and for what reason. Provide specifics to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be detained" when the context implies a longer-term sentence or imprisonment. Detention often suggests a temporary holding, while imprisonment indicates a longer, more formal confinement after a conviction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be detained" is to act as a passive infinitive phrase. It describes the state of someone being held or kept in custody by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its usage in news and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Vice

1%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be detained" is a grammatically correct and very common passive infinitive phrase used to describe the state of being held in custody, often by legal or governmental authorities. Ludwig confirms its appropriate use in various contexts, predominantly within news and academic settings. When using "to be detained", ensure the context is clear about who is detaining the individual and why, and avoid confusing it with longer-term imprisonment. Alternatives include "to be held in custody" or "to be taken into custody", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be held in custody

Focuses on the state of being physically held by authorities.

to be taken into custody

Emphasizes the action of being brought under control by authorities.

to be placed under arrest

Specifies the formal act of arrest and its associated legal processes.

to be confined

Highlights the restriction of movement to a limited space.

to be imprisoned

Indicates a longer-term detention, typically as a result of a conviction.

to be incarcerated

Similar to 'imprisoned', but often used in a more formal or legal context.

to be interned

Refers to the detention of enemy aliens or other groups during wartime or conflict.

to be apprehended

Emphasizes the act of capturing someone, often after a pursuit.

to be remanded in custody

A legal term indicating that a person is held in custody while awaiting trial.

to be kept in detention

Highlights the continuation of the state of being detained.

FAQs

How to use "to be detained" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be detained" is used to describe the state of being held in custody, usually by law enforcement or other authorities. For example, "The suspect is expected "to be detained" for questioning".

What can I say instead of "to be detained"?

You can use alternatives like "to be held in custody", "to be taken into custody", or "to be placed under arrest" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to be detained" or "to being detained"?

"To be detained" is the correct infinitive form when describing the state of being held. "To being detained" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where "to be detained" would be used.

What's the difference between "to be detained" and "to be imprisoned"?

"To be detained" typically implies a shorter period of holding or questioning, often before charges are filed. "To be imprisoned" indicates a longer-term confinement, usually after a conviction in a court of law.