be put behind bars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be put behind bars" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone being imprisoned or incarcerated, often after being convicted of a crime. Example: "After the trial, the judge decided that the defendant should be put behind bars for a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In 2006, when the Times published a piece revealing that the government, in the name of fighting terrorism, had collected the private financial information of Americans who had nothing to do with terrorism, Cotton, then an Army lieutenant stationed in Baghdad, sent a letter to the newspaper, saying that the editors should be put "behind bars".

The New Yorker

He is the sixth person to be put behind bars after a sting by Dark Justice.

Independent

Perhaps now they will be put behind bars, where they would be if they weren't priests.

The New York Times

Only six rapists out of 1,000 will be put behind bars.

The Guardian

And if we're to rectify it we need to move beyond simply calling for Zimmerman to be put behind bars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poor, black people are as likely to express such sentiments as rich, white ones, even though they are far more likely to be put behind bars themselves.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Mr Ganji has been put behind bars.

The Economist

traffickers have been put behind bars.

The Washington Post

Unless a botnet's owners and clients are put behind bars, takedowns tend to be temporary.

The New York Times

You heard of cases in which workers were put behind bars for anti-Semitic acts.

The New Yorker

They later let me out, but then I was put behind bars again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be put behind bars" when you want to emphasize the action of someone being incarcerated, especially as a consequence of their actions or a legal decision. It often carries a stronger connotation of justice or punishment than simply saying someone is "imprisoned".

Common error

Avoid using "be put behind bars" when you need an active voice. For instance, instead of "The criminal was put behind bars by the police", a more direct statement would be "The police put the criminal behind bars".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be put behind bars" functions as a passive construction, indicating the action of imprisonment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and conveys the idea of someone being incarcerated as a consequence of their actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be put behind bars" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe imprisonment, particularly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples highlight its use in conveying the consequences of crime and legal judgments. While it maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to consider active voice alternatives for more direct statements. Related phrases like ""be incarcerated"" or ""serve time"" offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incarcerated

Emphasizes the state of being confined in an institution.

be imprisoned

Focuses on the act of being placed in prison.

be jailed

A more informal term for being put in jail.

be sent to prison

Highlights the action of being directed to a correctional facility.

be confined

A broader term referring to any form of restricted movement.

be remanded in custody

A legal term indicating detention while awaiting trial.

be held in detention

Emphasizes the act of being kept in custody.

face imprisonment

Highlights the prospect or threat of being imprisoned.

serve time

Focuses on the duration of imprisonment.

do time

An informal way of referring to serving a prison sentence.

FAQs

How to use "be put behind bars" in a sentence?

You can use "be put behind bars" to describe the consequence of a crime, like "After the trial, the defendant will "be put behind bars" for several years".

What can I say instead of "be put behind bars"?

Alternatives include "be incarcerated", "be imprisoned", or "serve time", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Which is correct, "be put behind bars" or "being put behind bars"?

"Be put behind bars" is typically used as part of a future or conditional statement, while "being put behind bars" functions as a gerund or part of a continuous tense. Example: "He will "be put behind bars"" vs. "He is afraid of "being put behind bars"".

Is "be put behind bars" formal or informal?

The phrase "be put behind bars" is considered neutral in tone and is commonly found in news reports and general discussions about crime and punishment. More formal alternatives might include ""be incarcerated"".