was captured by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was captured by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something was taken or seized by another entity, often in contexts related to photography, military actions, or storytelling. Example: "The rare bird was captured by the wildlife photographer during his expedition in the Amazon rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was captured by Napoleon in 1796.

The New York Times - Sports

Her stern look was captured by chance.

Independent

Nathan Hale was captured by the British.

Britannica

The other was captured by the police.

The New York Times

He was captured by Lebanese guerrillas.

The New York Times

He was captured by the intelligence services.

The Guardian

This image was captured by the primary system.

Columbia University

In 1945 he was captured by U.S. troops.

Britannica

He was captured by the Spanish in 1877.

Britannica

He was captured by Allied forces in March 1945.

The New York Times

The letter was captured by the Americans last summer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was captured by", ensure that the subject and the captor are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The city was captured", specify "The city was captured by enemy forces".

Common error

Avoid using "was captured by" with plural subjects. For instance, instead of "The soldiers was captured by the enemy", use "The soldiers were captured by the enemy".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "was captured by" is to form a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being captured. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was captured by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and versatility. It effectively communicates the act of seizing or taking control, as exemplified by numerous real-world instances across news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. While "was captured by" enjoys broad applicability, mindful writers should ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the captor, also take care to maintain subject-verb agreement. Alternatives like "was seized by" or "was apprehended by" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was apprehended by

Focuses specifically on the act of being caught or arrested, often by law enforcement.

was seized by

Emphasizes the forceful taking of something or someone, often in a military or legal context.

was apprehended by

Similar to "was arrested by", highlighting the act of being taken into custody.

fell into the hands of

Indicates a transfer of control, often implying a loss or disadvantage for the original owner.

was taken prisoner by

Specifically refers to being captured and held as a prisoner, often in a wartime context.

was recorded by

Focuses on the act of capturing an image, sound, or data using a recording device.

was filmed by

Highlights the act of capturing a scene or event using a camera.

was photographed by

Specifically refers to capturing an image using a camera.

was taped by

Focuses on the act of recording an audio or video using tape.

was detected by

Implies that something was sensed or discovered, often by a technological device or method.

FAQs

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

Use "was captured by" to indicate that someone or something was seized or taken by another entity. For instance, "The spy was captured by the enemy intelligence agency", or "The image was captured by a satellite".

What are some alternatives to "was captured by"?

You can use alternatives such as "was apprehended by", "was seized by", or "fell into the hands of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was captured by" or "was taken by"?

"Was captured by" often implies a more forceful or strategic taking, whereas "was taken by" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider "The city "was taken by" storm" versus "The city was captured by enemy forces after a long siege".

What's the difference between "was captured by" and "was recorded by"?

"Was captured by" typically refers to seizing control of a person, place, or thing, while "was recorded by" refers to preserving an image, sound, or event using a recording device. For example, "The criminal "was recorded by" a security camera during the robbery", and "The fortress was captured by invading armies".