was under arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was under arrest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been taken into custody by law enforcement. Example: "The suspect was under arrest when the police found the stolen goods in his car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was under arrest.

The New York Times - Books

Within hours, he was under arrest.

The New York Times - Magazine

After 10 minutes he announced that I was under arrest".

The Guardian

Morsi hadn't listened, and now he was under arrest.

The New Yorker

By 3.35am the next morning he was under arrest.

The Guardian - Business

Within minutes Peter was under arrest after multilating his arm.

The Guardian - Books

Prior to that, did you indicate to him that he was under arrest?

Cornell University

Parrack threatened to throw Esquibel to the ground and said he was under arrest.

The Washington Post

He was under arrest for allegedly entering government property without authorisation, disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly.

The Guardian - Opinion

And within hours, Ms. Brathwaite was under arrest, charged with recklessly endangering her children.

The New York Times

The captain, who suffered a minor injury during the clash, was under arrest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was under arrest", ensure the context clearly indicates the arresting authority and the reason for the arrest if known. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply stating someone "was under arrest" implies their Miranda rights were read. Explicitly mention if those rights were or weren't communicated, as this is a separate legal requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was under arrest" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of a subject in the past. It signifies that an individual was in the custody of law enforcement. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was under arrest" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's past state of being in police custody. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence in news media, academic texts, and general discussions. While alternatives like ""was detained"" or ""was taken into custody"" exist, understanding the context and legal implications—such as Miranda rights—is crucial. Avoiding assumptions about legal procedures associated with the phrase can prevent inaccuracies. In summary, "was under arrest" effectively communicates a past legal status with broad applicability across diverse communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was arrested

A more concise and direct way of saying "was under arrest".

was placed under arrest

A more formal and emphatic version of "was under arrest".

was in custody

Describes the state of being held by the police.

was taken into custody

Focuses on the physical act of being detained by law enforcement.

had been arrested

Implies the arrest happened at a time previous to the one discussed.

was apprehended

Emphasizes the act of being caught or seized by authorities.

was in the process of being arrested

Emphasizes that the arrest was actively happening.

was detained

Indicates a temporary holding, which may or may not lead to formal charges.

faced arrest

Highlights the potential or imminent nature of being arrested.

was charged

Indicates that formal accusations have been made.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "was under arrest"?

It means the person had been taken into official custody by law enforcement, usually because they are suspected of committing a crime.

What's the difference between "was arrested" and "was under arrest"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Was arrested" is more concise, while "was under arrest" might emphasize the state of being in custody. They both indicate the same legal action.

What can I say instead of "was under arrest"?

You can use alternatives like "was detained", "was taken into custody", or "was apprehended" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is under arrest"?

Yes, "is under arrest" is grammatically correct, but refers to the present. "Was under arrest" refers to a past event where someone was in custody.