Learn · Sentences Explaining an Emergency Situation

We had to call the police after witnessing a robbery in progress.

B1

Sentence

Narrator

We had to call the police after witnessing a robbery in progress.

Study notes

How to use in different contexts

Reporting a Crime

We reported the robbery to the police after witnessing it.

Describing an Event

A robbery was in progress, so we immediately called the police.

Explaining Actions

Witnessing the robbery, we had no choice but to contact the authorities.

Sharing a Narrative

The situation escalated quickly; we saw a robbery unfolding and had to call for help.

Rephrased versions

Formal

We were compelled to contact law enforcement following observation of a robbery in progress.

Casual

We had to call the cops because we saw a robbery happening.

Simpler English

We called the police after seeing a robbery.

Phrases to learn

call the police

To contact the police department to report a crime or emergency.

robbery in progress

A robbery that is currently taking place.