What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
captured
Example
The police captured the thief after a high-speed chase. [captured: past tense]
Example
The wildlife photographer captured a stunning image of a lion in the wild. [captured: verb]
apprehended
Example
The suspect was apprehended by the police at the airport. [apprehended: past tense]
Example
The security guard apprehended the shoplifter before they could leave the store. [apprehended: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Captured is more commonly used than apprehended in everyday language. Captured is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while apprehended is more specific to legal or law enforcement situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between captured and apprehended?
While captured can be used in both formal and informal situations, apprehended is more formal and is typically used in legal or law enforcement contexts.