was detained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was detained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has been held in custody or prevented from leaving a place, often by law enforcement. Example: "The suspect was detained by the police for questioning about the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Daly was detained.

The New York Times

He was detained again.

The New Yorker

He was detained in July.

The Economist

He was detained for months.

The New York Times

He was detained three times.

The New Yorker

Then She Was Detained.

The New York Times

The soldier was detained.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Six insurgents were detained.

The New York Times

Dozens were detained.

Independent

Dozens have been detained.

The Economist

"He has been detained".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was detained" when you want to indicate that someone was temporarily held by authorities, but not necessarily formally arrested. This is often used when the situation is still under investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "was detained" interchangeably with "was arrested". "Detained" implies a temporary holding, while "arrested" suggests formal charges have been filed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was detained" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that someone experienced the action of being detained. The Ludwig examples show it primarily used in news and media contexts to report on individuals being held by authorities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was detained" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone being temporarily held by authorities, primarily in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it is often used interchangeably with "was arrested", it's important to remember that "detained" implies a temporary holding while "arrested" indicates formal charges. Alternative phrases include "was held for questioning" and "was taken into custody". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation and avoid confusing it with formal arrest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was held in custody

Emphasizes the state of being held by authorities.

was kept in detention

Emphasizes the state of being held for a period of time.

was taken into custody

Focuses on the act of being apprehended and held by authorities.

was apprehended

Highlights the act of being caught or seized.

was held for questioning

Indicates that the person was held for interrogation purposes.

was arrested

Specifically indicates a legal arrest.

was placed under arrest

Similar to 'was arrested' but emphasizes the formal process.

was confined

Highlights the restriction of movement to a specific area.

was impounded

Describes the seizure of property or a vehicle.

was interned

Suggests confinement during wartime or for political reasons.

FAQs

How to use "was detained" in a sentence?

You can use "was detained" to describe someone being temporarily held by authorities for questioning or investigation. For example, "The suspect "was detained" at the scene of the crime."

What can I say instead of "was detained"?

You can use alternatives like "was held for questioning", "was taken into custody", or "was apprehended" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was detained" or "was arrested"?

"Was detained" implies a temporary holding, while "was arrested" suggests formal charges. The correct choice depends on whether formal charges have been filed.

What's the difference between "was detained" and "was held"?

"Was held" is a more general term that can refer to being physically held or kept in a certain location, whereas "was detained" specifically implies being held by authorities, typically law enforcement.