Cool MateArrest vs Detain vs Seize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
Detain
Seize
| Arrest | Detain | Seize | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/ |
| 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. | To take something quickly or suddenly. |
| Example | The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. | The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. | The police decided to seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case. |
| Register | Formal | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | 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 | immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something |
| Antonyms | release, free | release, free, liberate | release, 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. | 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. | Confused with 'cease' which means to stop., Using 'seize' with wrong tenses, e.g. saying 'seized' when meaning present tense., Mistakenly using it without an object, e.g. saying 'I seize' instead of 'I seize the opportunity'. |
| 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. | Use 'seize' when talking about taking control or possession of something. It can be used in legal contexts or to describe capturing opportunities. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Detain vs Seize
What's the difference between Arrest, Detain, and Seize?
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. Seize: To take something quickly or suddenly.
Are Arrest, Detain, and Seize the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Detain: C1, Seize: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arrest, Detain, and Seize?
Arrest: verb, Detain: verb, Seize: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Arrest: The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. Detain: The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. Seize: The police decided to seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case.
Can I use Arrest, Detain, and Seize interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest, Detain, and Seize 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.