was detained for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was detained for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the reason or cause for someone's detention, typically in a legal or law enforcement context. Example: "He was detained for questioning regarding the incident that occurred last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was detained for months.

The New York Times

Mr Miranda was detained for nine.

The Guardian

One participant was detained for drug possession.

The New York Times

He was detained for 104 days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was detained for protesting Trump.

The Washington Post

He was detained for 81 days.

The Guardian - Arts

Green was detained for nine hours.

The Guardian

He was detained for seven days.

The Guardian

One wounded man was detained for questioning.

The New York Times

Wanda rushed to the accident and was detained for hours.

The New Yorker

One was detained for 18 days in April.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was detained for" to clearly state the reason someone was held by authorities, ensuring the context is legal or official. For example: "The suspect was detained for questioning."

Common error

Avoid using "was detained for" when referring to actions after a formal conviction. Detention implies holding someone for investigation or before a trial, whereas imprisonment follows a guilty verdict. Use "was imprisoned for" or "was convicted of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was detained for" serves as a predicate in sentences, indicating the reason or cause behind someone's detainment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction to specify why an individual was held in custody. Examples include "He was detained for questioning" or "She was detained for suspected theft".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was detained for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to explain the reason behind someone's detainment by authorities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in neutral to professional contexts such as news reports and official statements. The phrase primarily functions to provide a factual explanation, and while alternatives like "was held for" or "was arrested for" exist, the choice depends on the specific legal or investigative context. It's important to differentiate detention from conviction to avoid misuse. The high frequency and authoritative sourcing underscore its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was held for

This alternative is a more general way of saying someone was kept in custody, without necessarily implying formal arrest.

was held in detention for

This alternative emphasizes that the person was kept in a detention facility.

was kept in custody for

This alternative highlights the state of being held by authorities.

was arrested for

This alternative specifies that the person was formally arrested and taken into custody.

was taken into custody for

This alternative emphasizes the act of being taken into official custody.

was apprehended for

This alternative suggests the person was caught or seized by authorities.

was imprisoned for

This alternative suggests a longer period of confinement, typically after a conviction.

was incarcerated for

This alternative indicates imprisonment, typically for a longer term.

was confined for

This alternative is a broader term that includes any type of restriction of movement.

faced detention for

This alternative focuses on the experience of facing the possibility or reality of detention.

FAQs

How do I use "was detained for" in a sentence?

Use "was detained for" to indicate the reason someone was held in custody by authorities. For example: "He was detained for questioning" or "She was detained for suspected shoplifting".

What can I say instead of "was detained for"?

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

Is it correct to say "was detained because of" instead of "was detained for"?

While "was detained because of" can be used, "was detained for" is more concise and commonly used in legal and official contexts. The meaning is essentially the same, but "for" directly indicates the reason.

What is the difference between "was detained for" and "was arrested for"?

"Was arrested for" implies a formal charge and legal process, whereas "was detained for" suggests a temporary holding for investigation, which may or may not lead to an arrest. Detainment is often a preliminary step to an arrest.