Cool MateArrest vs Capture vs Detain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
Capture
Detain
| Arrest | Capture | Detain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæptʃə(r)/","/ˈkæptʃəz/","/ˈkæptʃəd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæptʃər/","/ˈkæptʃərz/","/ˈkæptʃərd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | To take something or someone and hold them. | To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. |
| Example | The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. | The photographer aimed to capture the beauty of the sunset. | The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb |
| Collocations | arrest someone, arrest warrant, arrest for theft, arrest on suspicion | accurately, perfectly, beautifully, try to, be able to, manage to | briefly, indefinitely, illegally, need not, for, in connection with, be detained in custody, be detained in hospital, detain somebody without charge |
| Antonyms | release, free | release, free, let go | release, free, liberate |
| 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. | Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something., Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority., Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained. |
| 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. | Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting. |
Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Capture vs Detain
What's the difference between Arrest, Capture, and Detain?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Capture: To take something or someone and hold them. Detain: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave.
Which is more advanced: Arrest, Capture, and Detain?
Detain is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Arrest, Capture, and Detain the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Capture: B2, Detain: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arrest, Capture, and Detain?
Arrest: verb, Capture: verb, Detain: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Arrest: The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. Capture: The photographer aimed to capture the beauty of the sunset. Detain: The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning.
Can I use Arrest, Capture, and Detain interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest, Capture, and Detain 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.