was confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was taken away or seized by an authority, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The illegal goods were discovered during the inspection and were promptly confiscated by the customs officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The truck was confiscated.

The New York Times

Their property was confiscated.

The New Yorker

Later, some of its land was confiscated.

The New York Times

The film was confiscated by the police.

The New Yorker

But my bag was confiscated.

The New York Times

Some equipment also was confiscated.

The New York Times

His passport was confiscated, rights groups say.

The Washington Post

Even their marriage certificate was confiscated.

The Guardian

The money was confiscated as drug profits.

The New York Times

Miranda's electronic equipment was confiscated at Heathrow.

The Guardian

This tusk was confiscated during an attempted Craigslist sale.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was confiscated" when referring to the act of authority seizing property, goods, or documents, especially in legal or official contexts. Ensure the subject clearly identifies what was taken.

Common error

Avoid using "was confiscated" with plural subjects. The correct form for plural subjects is "were confiscated". Example: "The illegal goods were confiscated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was confiscated" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was taken away by an authority. Ludwig examples show its use across various scenarios where property, documents, or rights have been seized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was confiscated" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that something has been seized by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including news reports, academic texts, and legal documents. While generally neutral, its formality can increase depending on the specific situation. When using this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "was seized" or "was impounded" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was seized

Focuses on the act of taking something suddenly and forcibly.

was impounded

Implies that something, especially a vehicle, was taken into legal custody.

was impounded

Implies temporary seizure, often with the possibility of return.

was expropriated

Suggests that private property was taken for public use, often by a government.

was appropriated

Indicates that something was taken for one's own use, often without permission.

was commandeered

Implies that something was seized for military or public use during an emergency.

was forfeited

Means that something was lost as a penalty for wrongdoing.

was reclaimed

Indicates that possession was regained, often after a period of confiscation.

was sequestered

Implies that something was isolated or kept away, often under legal authority.

was distrained

Means that something was seized to satisfy a debt or claim.

FAQs

What does "was confiscated" mean?

The phrase "was confiscated" means that something has been officially seized or taken away, usually by someone in a position of authority, like law enforcement or a government agency.

What can I say instead of "was confiscated"?

You can use alternatives like "was seized", "was impounded", or "was appropriated depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "were confiscated" instead of "was confiscated"?

Yes, "were confiscated" is correct when referring to a plural subject. "Was confiscated" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The documents were confiscated."

What is the difference between "was confiscated" and "was stolen"?

"Was confiscated" implies a legal or authoritative seizure, while "was stolen" indicates a theft or illegal taking by someone without authority.