we were apprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were apprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are taken into custody or detained by authorities, often in a legal or law enforcement scenario. Example: "After the protest turned violent, we were apprehended by the police and taken to the station for questioning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were no "NO BALL GAMES" signs in evidence, but we were apprehended by the police and formally charged under an obscure council bylaw; a bunch of boys ranging from six to 10 years old.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lest we be apprehended and disclos'd.

The New Yorker

Friend Derby, we must haste away Lest we be apprehended and disclos'd.

The New Yorker

In an email to a client in March 2007 about why their charges of up to £5,000 may seem high, Freeman wrote that police and Interpol databases that may be accessed were "not open to the general public and are tightly regulated", meaning that "should we be apprehended a custodial sentence" may be handed out.

The Guardian - Tech

"We're counting less footprints on the dirt roads around the border and we're apprehending fewer people," the official said.

The New York Times

MR. OBAMA: Well, first of all, my top priority in each and every one of these situations is to make sure that we're apprehending those who would attack the United States; that we are getting all the intelligence that we can out of these individuals, in a way that's consistent with due process of law; and that we try them, we prosecute them, in a way that's consistent with rule of law.

The New York Times

The faces change, he says, and so do the reasons migrants cross into the U.S. "Historically, these are not high-water-mark numbers — it's just different populations we're apprehending," Robert Duff explained as he left the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station for a patrol at dusk Thursday.

Los Angeles Times

"They were apprehended because we had good information they were associated with Taliban activity," she said.

The New York Times

Lawyer Sergey Golubok said: "We think the Arctic 30 were apprehended and detained in flagrant violation of applicable international and Russian laws".

The Guardian

Two of them were apprehended.

The New York Times

Both hackers were apprehended.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were apprehended" when you want to convey a formal sense of being taken into custody by authorities, often implying a legal context.

Common error

Avoid using "we were apprehended" when a simpler term like "arrested" or "detained" is more appropriate for the context, as "apprehended" can sound overly formal in casual situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were apprehended" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) was the recipient of the action (apprehended). As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase suggests a formal taking into custody.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were apprehended" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe being taken into custody by authorities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in formal contexts. While alternatives like "we were arrested" or "we were detained" exist, "we were apprehended" carries a more formal and legal tone. It's predominantly found in news and media, reflecting its neutral and objective usage. Consider the level of formality required when choosing this phrase over simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we got arrested

Replaces "apprehended" with a more common term, "arrested", indicating a formal arrest.

we were taken into custody

Replaces "apprehended" with "taken into custody", emphasizing the act of being detained by authorities.

we were detained

Uses "detained" instead of "apprehended", suggesting a temporary holding or questioning by authorities.

we were seized

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the apprehension, implying a more aggressive action.

we were caught

A more informal alternative, suggesting being caught in the act of wrongdoing.

we were nabbed

An even more informal alternative to apprehended, often used in casual conversation.

the police apprehended us

Shifts from passive to active voice, specifying the police as the actors.

law enforcement apprehended us

More formal specifying "law enforcement" as the actors.

we found ourselves in custody

Changes the structure to emphasize the resulting state of being in custody.

we were brought in

Implies being brought to a specific location for questioning or processing.

FAQs

What does "we were apprehended" mean?

It means that we were taken into custody or arrested by law enforcement or other authorities, often implying a formal or legal process.

When is it appropriate to use "we were apprehended"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts, such as news reports or legal documents, where a more precise and less colloquial term than "arrested" or "detained" is desired. You might also consider using "we were taken into custody".

What are some alternatives to "we were apprehended"?

Alternatives include "we were arrested", "we were detained", "we were taken into custody" or "we were caught", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "we were apprehended" formal or informal?

"We were apprehended" is generally considered a formal expression. More informal alternatives are available, such as "we got arrested" or "we were nabbed".