be committed to prison

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be committed to prison" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to describe the act of being sentenced to serve time in prison. Example: "After the trial, the judge decided that he would be committed to prison for his crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The court had issued a warrant for Mr. Selebi to be committed to prison, the statement continued.

The New York Times

When Sir Walter Monkton rose to move that the editor of the Daily Mail be committed to prison for contempt, he was one of the most distinguished leaders of the Bar and one of the foremost men in the country.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Elizabeth was told that if no more noises were heard by Sunday 21 February, she and her father would be committed to Newgate Prison.

Wikipedia

Prosecutors have suggested that he be committed to psychiatric care instead of prison.

The New York Times

Be committed to it.

WikiHow

Be committed to accuracy.

WikiHow

Mr. Busic was committed to federal prison in 1977, said Traci Billingsley, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The New York Times

He was committed to debtors' prison and died in 1743.

Wikipedia

She went by a number of aliases: Bird, Howard, Blewitt and Trent are among those ascribed to her, although Mother Bird was also the name of another brothel-keeper who was committed to Newgate Prison with Needham in 1724.

Wikipedia

By 1997, 7,400 people 17 or younger had been committed to adult prisons, compared with 3,400 in 1985, according to the report, released today.

The New York Times

Like his leading character in Baisers volés (1969; Stolen Kisses), another film in the Doinel series, he deserted from his military service, being committed to various prisons until he was able to resume his journalistic career and, eventually, put his ideas into creative practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be committed to prison", ensure the context clearly indicates a formal legal process leading to imprisonment, especially in legal documents or news reports. For less formal contexts, consider "be sent to jail" or "be imprisoned".

Common error

Avoid using "be committed to prison" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "be sent to prison" are more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be committed to prison" functions as a passive construction describing the result of a legal decision, specifically the act of being officially confined to a prison. It's a formal way to describe imprisonment, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be committed to prison" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of being officially ordered to be confined in a prison. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it carries a formal tone and is typically found in legal and journalistic contexts. While semantically valid, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "be sent to jail" in informal settings. Remember to reserve "be committed to prison" for situations where you want to emphasize the legal process and official nature of the imprisonment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incarcerated

Focuses on the state of being confined in prison; a more formal and direct synonym.

be sent to jail

A simpler and more common way to express the act of being imprisoned.

be imprisoned

Highlights the action of being put in prison, emphasizing the loss of freedom.

receive a prison sentence

Emphasizes the legal judgment that results in imprisonment.

be given a custodial sentence

A more formal, legal term for receiving a sentence that involves imprisonment.

be remanded in custody

Indicates being held in custody, often while awaiting trial or sentencing.

face imprisonment

Focuses on the potential or likelihood of being imprisoned.

do time

An informal way of expressing serving a prison sentence.

be behind bars

A figurative expression for being in prison.

be locked up

A colloquial term for being confined in prison.

FAQs

What does "be committed to prison" mean?

The phrase "be committed to prison" means to be officially ordered to be confined in a prison, usually as a result of a legal trial or sentencing. It implies a formal process leading to incarceration.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be committed to prison"?

Use "be committed to prison" in legal contexts, news reports, or formal writing where you want to emphasize the legal process and official nature of the imprisonment. In less formal situations, consider using "be sent to jail" or "be imprisoned".

What are some alternatives to "be committed to prison"?

Alternatives include "be incarcerated", "be sent to prison", "be imprisoned", or "receive a prison sentence". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "be committed to prison" and "be sent to prison"?

While both phrases refer to imprisonment, "be committed to prison" often implies a more formal and legal process, suggesting a court order or official decision leading to the confinement. "Be sent to prison" is a more general and commonly used phrase.