Cool MateArrest vs Capture vs Seize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
Capture
Seize
| Arrest | Capture | Seize | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæptʃə(r)/","/ˈkæptʃəz/","/ˈkæptʃəd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæptʃər/","/ˈkæptʃərz/","/ˈkæptʃərd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | To take something or someone and hold them. | To take something quickly or suddenly. |
| 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 seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 | 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, let go | 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. | '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 '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. | 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. | 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. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Capture vs Seize
What's the difference between Arrest, Capture, and Seize?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Capture: To take something or someone and hold them. Seize: To take something quickly or suddenly.
Which is more formal: Arrest, Capture, and Seize?
Arrest is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Arrest, Capture, and Seize?
Seize is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Arrest, Capture, and Seize the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Capture: B2, Seize: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arrest, Capture, and Seize?
Arrest: verb, Capture: verb, Seize: 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. Seize: The police decided to seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case.
Can I use Arrest, Capture, and Seize interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest, Capture, 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.