we were held captive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were held captive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are describing a situation in which they were confined or restrained against their will. Example: "During the hostage crisis, we were held captive for several days before being rescued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It didn't matter, as we were held captive by our favourite shows and the ads that appeared inside them (with no remote or digital video recorder to skip commercials).

The Guardian

But as a woman, my fear throughout that week we were held captive was that I would be raped.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the awful pair rattle around the British countryside harassing quarry-owners about fossils and a dairy farmer over the licence-papers of his herd, we are held captive in their awful, co-dependent world.

Independent

According to this tradition, we do not suffer primarily from the fact that we are not recognized, but rather from the fact that we are held captive within a specific pattern of socially mandated recognition (Bedorf 2010).

SEP

Is she... OK? Watching her, we're held captive by this strange situation, so different from any situation we have been in ourselves.

Huffington Post

Once we are held captive by this picture, "my country right or wrong" becomes a proper sentiment and not a wild effusion of prejudice, because we cannot conceive of the nation being wrong.

Huffington Post

The crewmen were held captive for 11 months.

The New York Times

More than two dozen Chinese fishermen were held captive for two weeks by North Korea in May.

The New York Times

Fifty-two Americitizenszens were held captive for fourteen months, effectively ending the Presidency of Jimmy Carter.

The New Yorker

Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario were held captive with two other journalists and brutalized last month in Libya.

The New York Times

Dozens were held captive for hours, their lives forever changed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "we were held captive" when describing a situation where a group of people were forcibly detained or restrained against their will. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what held them captive.

Common error

Avoid using "we were held captive" when you intend to say "we held someone captive". The passive voice indicates that "we" were the recipients of the action, not the actors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were held captive" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) underwent the action of being held. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were held captive" is a grammatically correct and usable passive construction that describes an experience of forced confinement or restraint. According to Ludwig AI, its straightforward meaning makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news reporting and personal narratives. While interchangeable with alternatives like "we were imprisoned" or "we were confined", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who or what held you captive and avoid confusing it with the active voice construction. The phrase is considered rare due to the limited amount of examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were imprisoned

Focuses specifically on being confined in a prison-like setting.

we were confined

Emphasizes restriction of movement to a limited space.

we were detained

Suggests temporary holding, often by authorities.

we were kept hostage

Highlights the situation of being held against one's will as leverage.

we were captured

Focuses on the act of being seized or taken into captivity.

we were forced to stay

Emphasizes the lack of choice in remaining in a location.

we were under duress

Highlights the stress and coercion experienced during the situation.

we were under restraint

Emphasizes physical or psychological limitations imposed upon us.

our freedom was curtailed

Highlights the restriction or reduction of our liberty.

we were subjugated

Implies being brought under control or domination.

FAQs

What does "we were held captive" mean?

The phrase "we were held captive" means that a group of people were forcibly detained or restrained, unable to leave freely. It implies a lack of autonomy and control over their situation.

How can I use "we were held captive" in a sentence?

Use "we were held captive" when describing a situation where a group of people experienced forced confinement. For example: "During the political unrest, "we were held captive" in the embassy for several days."

What are some alternatives to "we were held captive"?

Some alternatives include "we were imprisoned", "we were confined", or "we were detained", depending on the specific context.

Is "we were held captive" formal or informal?

"We were held captive" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is a straightforward and generally understood phrase. However, the surrounding language and the context of the communication will ultimately determine the overall tone.