Cool MateArrest vs Capture
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Capture
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most formal: Arrest
| Arrest | Capture | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæptʃə(r)/","/ˈkæptʃəz/","/ˈkæptʃəd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæptʃər/","/ˈkæptʃərz/","/ˈkæptʃərd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | To take something or someone and hold them. |
| Example | The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. | The photographer aimed to capture the beauty of the sunset. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | arrest someone, arrest warrant, arrest for theft, arrest on suspicion | accurately, perfectly, beautifully, try to, be able to, manage to |
| Antonyms | release, free | release, free, let go |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'detain' which means to hold someone temporarily., Using it without an object, such as saying 'He was arrested' instead of 'They arrested him.', Misusing the term for non-legal situations. | 'Capture' used without an object (e.g., saying 'I will capture.'), 'Capture' confused with 'caught' in past tense., 'Capture' improperly used in place of 'seize' which has a different nuance. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in legal contexts. Avoid using in casual conversation unless discussing crime or law topics. Can sound too serious for light discussions. | Use 'capture' when you want to express taking control of something, either physically or metaphorically. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in situations that imply violence. |
Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Capture
What's the difference between Arrest and Capture?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Capture: To take something or someone and hold them.
Which is more formal: Arrest and Capture?
Arrest is the most formal of these.
Are Arrest and Capture the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Capture: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Arrest and Capture interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest and Capture are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.