0

In the dictionary,

ransom: money that is paid to somebody so that they will set free a person who is being kept as a prisoner by them

It seems like "ransom" is for people, for example, "They kidnapped the kid for ransom".

Now, a man stole a "17th century vase" but he didn't want to sell it but called the owner of the vase and asked for a ransom.

Is it correct to say "he stole an antique for ransom"?

2
  • 1
    The definition you link to includes an example referring to cattle; most online dictionaries say 'someone or something'. Feb 3 at 17:11
  • 1
    Erm... ransomeware, anyone? Feb 3 at 17:33

1 Answer 1

2

It's not wrong to say "stole (something) for ransom" but a much more common phrasing is to say that it was stolen, and held for ransom; held is by far the most common collocation with ransom, so anything else sounds unusual.

Ransom is usually applied to humans, but not always: Cambridge dictionary says

a sum of money demanded in exchange for someone or something that has been taken

Ransom is so normally applied only to people that anything else sounds strange; Ngrams doesn't even list "it" as a common object of was held for ransom or was ransomed.

But you can find it being used for other objects:

Bounce house company owner says thieves stole equipment, holding it for ransom

A Kent County, Mich., woman said her treasured Jesus statue has been returned after it was held for ransom over doggie doo.

In conclusion: Yes, you can use ransom with objects, but the more common phrasing is "held for ransom", not "stolen for ransom".

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .