Learn · Sentences Reporting a Crime

A man was caught shoplifting. Should we call the police?

B1

Sentence

Narrator

A man was caught shoplifting. Should we call the police?

Study notes

How to use in different contexts

Reporting an Incident

A man was observed shoplifting; we need to decide whether to contact the authorities.

Seeking Advice

A man was caught shoplifting. What's the best course of action?

Discussing Options

We have a shoplifter. We could call the police, or we could try to resolve it internally.

Narrating an Event

The security cameras caught a man shoplifting. The question of whether to call the police immediately arose.

Rephrased versions

Formal

An individual was apprehended for shoplifting. Law enforcement intervention is under consideration.

Casual

Someone stole stuff from the store. Should we get the cops?

Simpler English

A man was caught stealing. Do we call the police?

Phrases to learn

caught shoplifting

Apprehended while stealing from a store.

call the police

To contact law enforcement.