was captured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was captured' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when describing someone or something that was taken or arrested, usually by an authority figure or force. For example: "The thief was quickly captured by the police after witnesses reported the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was captured and imprisoned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sigismund was captured and killed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was captured in 2006.

The New York Times

He was captured in August 2010.

The New York Times

One suspect was captured alive.

The New York Times

He was captured in Paris.

The New Yorker

Kim was captured.

The Washington Post

"Unfortunately, it was captured".

The New Yorker

"Lula was captured too.

The Guardian

It was captured on film.

Stanford University

One was captured in Mexico.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was captured" when you want to emphasize the action of seizing or recording, rather than the state of being held.

Common error

Avoid using "was captured" without a clear subject performing the action. In passive voice, the actor can be omitted, but the context should still imply who did the capturing to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was captured" functions primarily as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being captured. It is used to describe the state of being taken or recorded, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was captured" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the act of being seized, apprehended, or recorded. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive voice construction, often found in news reports, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by either specifying the actor or making it clear through context. While versatile, it is important to consider alternatives like ""was apprehended"", "was seized", or ""was recorded"" based on the specific context to enhance precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was apprehended

Focuses on the act of being formally arrested by law enforcement.

was arrested

Specifically denotes being legally detained by authorities.

was seized

Emphasizes the forceful taking of something, often by authority.

was taken into custody

Highlights the state of being held by law enforcement.

was caught

Implies being discovered or apprehended while doing something wrong.

fell into enemy hands

Indicates being seized by an opposing force in a conflict.

was recorded

Focuses on capturing information or events through recording.

was filmed

Specifically refers to capturing video footage of an event.

was taped

Similar to filmed, but often implies audio or video recording.

was seized upon

Emphasizes taking advantage of a opportunity quickly or eagerly.

FAQs

How can I use "was captured" in a sentence?

You can use "was captured" to describe someone or something that has been seized or recorded. For example, "The suspect "was apprehended" after a brief chase" or "The image "was recorded" by a security camera".

What are some alternatives to "was captured"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""was apprehended"", "was seized", or ""was recorded"".

Which is correct, "was captured" or "is captured"?

"Was captured" is used for past events, while "is captured" is used for present or ongoing events. For example, "The moment "was filmed" yesterday" versus "The data stream "is recorded" in real-time".

What's the difference between "was captured" and "had been captured"?

"Was captured" describes a single event in the past, while "had been captured" indicates an event that occurred before another point in the past. For example, "He was seized by the enemy" versus "He "had been seized" before the reinforcements arrived".