Cool MateArrest vs Detain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Detain
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Arrest
| Arrest | Detain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | 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 police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | arrest someone, arrest warrant, arrest for theft, arrest on suspicion | 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, 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. | 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. | 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 Detain
What's the difference between Arrest and Detain?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Detain: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave.
Which is more common: Arrest and Detain?
Arrest is the most common in everyday English.
Are Arrest and Detain the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Detain: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Arrest and Detain interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest 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.