was being detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is currently in the process of being held or confined by authorities. Example: "The suspect was being detained by the police for questioning about the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Yes, he was being detained.

The New York Times

Mr. Hasayin, they added, was being detained partly for his own protection.

The New York Times

The husband was being detained as a witness but had not been charged with any crime.

The New York Times

Bout's lawyer argued that he was being detained illegally and should be released immediately.

The Guardian

The Singaporean authorities did not say whether Tan was being detained, or whether they were now prepared to extradite him.

The New York Times - Sports

Police officials said that Mr. Anderson was being detained, but they did not call him a suspect.

The New York Times

Liby was being "detained lawfully by the Department of Defense", a defence official told the Guardian on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

In Washington, an administration official said today that officials were aware that Mr. Ahmad was being detained.

The New York Times

The friend was being detained — Sharifi was not sure where exactly — and sometimes he called home to complain.

The Guardian

He was being detained under Singapore's Internal Security Act, which allows the government to hold suspects indefinitely without a trial.

The New York Times

"Our revolutionaries went to the place where he was being detained and demanded he be handed over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being detained" to clearly indicate that someone was in the process of being held or confined by authorities at a specific time. This passive construction emphasizes the action and the person subjected to it.

Common error

Avoid using "was detained" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the detention. "Was detained" implies a completed action, while "was being detained" highlights the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being detained" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone was in the process of being held by authorities. As Ludwig AI suggests, this usage is grammatically correct and common. Examples in the search results show its use in news reports and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was being detained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that someone was in the process of being held by authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure you choose this phrase to highlight the ongoing nature of the detention, as opposed to a completed action. Consider alternatives like "was in custody" or "was being held" to add variety or nuance, but be mindful of subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in custody

Focuses on the state of being held by authorities.

was being held

Shorter alternative to express a similar meaning.

was under arrest

Highlights the formal act of being arrested.

was held in detention

Emphasizes the act of being kept in detention.

was kept in custody

Highlights the act of being kept by authorities.

was apprehended

Emphasizes the act of capture or arrest.

was taken into custody

Focuses on the action of being taken by authorities.

was confined

Highlights the restriction of movement.

was in confinement

Emphasizes the state of being confined.

was restricted

Focuses on limitations to movement.

FAQs

How can I use "was being detained" in a sentence?

Use "was being detained" to describe someone who was in the process of being held by authorities at a specific time. For example: "The suspect "was being detained" for questioning."

What are some alternatives to saying "was being detained"?

You can use alternatives such as "was in custody", "was under arrest", or "was being held" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "was detained" and "was being detained"?

"Was detained" implies a completed action, meaning the person was detained at some point in the past. "Was being detained" indicates that the detention was in progress at a specific time.

Is "was being detained" formal or informal language?

"Was being detained" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often used in news reports and legal documents.