can be incarcerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be incarcerated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing legal matters, criminal justice, or the consequences of certain actions that may lead to imprisonment. Example: "Individuals who commit serious crimes can be incarcerated for long periods, depending on the severity of their offenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By this variation on Catch 22, any woman persistently challenging police authority can be incarcerated in the psychopathic wing of the LA County Hospital, an inhumane institution run by sadistic nurses and bigoted doctors.

The Guardian - Film

(In a criminal case you can be incarcerated; in most civil cases you can't).

Huffington Post

SHINY SHINY!" Durbin says the United States has successfully tried terrorists and they can be incarcerated safely.

Huffington Post

According to the lawsuit, students can be incarcerated for "dress code infractions such as wearing the wrong color socks or undershirt, or for having shirts untucked; tardies; flatulence in class; using vulgar language; yelling at teachers; and going to the bathroom or leaving the classroom without permission".

Huffington Post

On paper, China abolished its "reform through labor" programs last year, but the reality is that the labor camps were converted into forced drug rehab centers where inmates perform unpaid factory work and can be incarcerated for years without trial an arrangement previously reserved for those arrested for political or religious reasons.

Vice

In legal terms, French law changed in 1994: it now distinguishes on the one hand psychiatric disorders that remove discernment (subjects may be declared non-responsible in this situation and are often hospitalized in a psychiatric department) and, on the other, psychiatric disorders that merely altered discernment (subjects remain punishable and can be incarcerated).

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Children and other family members of the accused can also be incarcerated in an effort to eradicate all criticism of North Korea's political system.

BBC

In the general population, one third of African Americans can expect to be incarcerated at one point in their life and 1 in 9 black children have a parent in the prison system.

TechCrunch

Although corporations cannot be incarcerated, they can be criminally punished with fines and other sanctions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And some people should be incarcerated, but others can be rehabilitated.

The New York Times

Kudos to Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman for calling for a re-evaluation of how we use bail to determine which criminal defendants should be incarcerated and which can be safely released to the community while their cases are pending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be incarcerated" when discussing legal consequences or potential outcomes of actions. This phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "can be incarcerated" in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can go to jail" or "might get arrested" for better suitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be incarcerated" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating the possibility of imprisonment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in legal and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be incarcerated" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the possibility of imprisonment, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its usage is common in news, legal documents, and formal discussions. While acceptable in formal settings, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "can go to jail" in informal contexts. Remember to use this phrase when describing potential legal consequences, and be mindful of the register to maintain appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be imprisoned

Replaces "can" with "may", indicating possibility but with a slightly more formal tone.

could be jailed

Substitutes "incarcerated" with the more informal "jailed" and "can" with "could", suggesting a potential outcome.

might be detained

Replaces "incarcerated" with "detained", which can imply a shorter or less formal period of confinement.

face imprisonment

Shifts the focus to the consequence of facing imprisonment, rather than the act of being incarcerated.

are liable to be imprisoned

Emphasizes the legal responsibility or likelihood of imprisonment.

risk being incarcerated

Highlights the risk or potential danger of being incarcerated.

are subject to imprisonment

Indicates that imprisonment is a possible outcome under certain conditions or laws.

suffer incarceration

Focuses on the experience of incarceration as a form of suffering or punishment.

serve time in prison

Emphasizes the duration of imprisonment and the act of serving a sentence.

end up behind bars

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe imprisonment, making it more vivid and less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "can be incarcerated" in a sentence?

Use "can be incarcerated" to describe the possibility of someone being imprisoned as a consequence of their actions, such as "If found guilty, the defendant "can be incarcerated" for up to five years".

What's a more informal way to say "can be incarcerated"?

For less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "can go to jail" or "might get locked up".

Which is correct, "can be incarcerated" or "may be incarcerated"?

Both ""can be incarcerated"" and "may be incarcerated" are grammatically correct. "May" is often perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "can be incarcerated" and "is incarcerated"?

"Can be incarcerated" expresses a possibility or potential outcome, while "is incarcerated" indicates a current state of imprisonment. For example, "He can be incarcerated" suggests a potential sentence, whereas "He is incarcerated" confirms he's currently in prison.