was not arrested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not arrested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone did not face arrest in a specific situation or context. Example: "Despite the evidence against him, he was not arrested that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was not arrested.

Independent

The homeowner was not arrested.

The New York Times

McGuinness was not arrested.

The Guardian

West was not arrested.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was not arrested or charged.

Independent

Mr. Throwell, who was not arrested, followed.

The New York Times

He was not arrested, the witness said.

The New York Times

The man was not arrested.

The New York Times

Mr. Caronia was not arrested.

The New York Times

Mr. Lawrence was not arrested.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The other individual Johnson, presumably was not arrested. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "was not arrested" to clearly state that an individual was not formally taken into custody by law enforcement, ensuring clarity in legal or news contexts.

Common error

Be precise in your language; "detained" implies a temporary holding for questioning, while "arrested" indicates a formal charge and processing. Using "detained" instead of ""was not arrested"" may lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not arrested" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a person did not undergo the legal process of being taken into custody for allegedly committing a crime. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in stating facts regarding legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not arrested" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to state that an individual did not undergo the process of arrest. According to Ludwig, it's predominantly used in News & Media to convey factual information about someone's legal status. Alternatives like "was not detained" or "faced no charges" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's important to use the phrase accurately, distinguishing it from similar terms like "detained" to avoid misinterpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is widely used and accepted in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not taken into custody

This specifies the action that didn't occur, focusing on the lack of detention.

avoided being arrested

This highlights the action taken to prevent arrest, implying deliberate effort.

escaped arrest

This suggests a narrow avoidance of arrest, implying possible pursuit or risk.

was not apprehended

This is a more formal term, often used in official reports or legal contexts.

remained at large

This emphasizes the person's continued freedom and potential elusiveness.

faced no charges

This focuses on the legal outcome, indicating absence of formal accusations.

was released without charge

This indicates a prior detention followed by a release without formal accusations.

walked free

This implies a lack of legal consequences, even if guilt was suspected.

was cleared

This suggests that an investigation took place and the person was found not guilty or not involved.

got off scot-free

This indicates escaping consequences, implying a sense of luck or injustice.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not arrested"?

You can use alternatives like "was not detained", "avoided arrest", or "faced no charges" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "was not arrested" and "was not charged"?

"Was not arrested" means the person was not taken into police custody. "Was not charged" means the person was not formally accused of a crime. A person can be arrested but not charged, or vice versa. The phrase "faced no charges" focuses on the legal outcome.

Is it better to use "was not arrested" or "was not apprehended"?

"Was not arrested" is more common and generally understood. "Was not apprehended" is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. Both phrases mean the person was not captured by law enforcement.

When is it appropriate to use "was not arrested"?

Use ""was not arrested"" when you want to clearly state that someone was not formally taken into custody by law enforcement, such as in news reports, legal documents, or personal accounts. Be careful not to confuse this term with similar terms, such as "detained" or "questioned".