committed to jail

USAGE SUMMARY

'committed to jail' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when someone is being sentenced to jail time or is being remanded into custody. For example: "The defendant was committed to jail for six months for his role in the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was an effort, he said, to show the students the "realities of jail life and the procedures faced when you are committed to jail".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Reporters could be committed to civil jail if they don't pay.

The Guardian - Opinion

She told the Observer that prison reform was her priority and that she was committed to making jails safer.

The Guardian

Though the Obama's Justice Department infuriated press advocates after seizing AP reporters' phone records and suggesting a Fox News reporter's newsgathering was criminal, former Attorney General Eric Holder committed to not jailing journalists for doing their jobs.

Huffington Post

They record each defendant's name, age, address, charge, plea and sentence - as well as if the case is remanded in jail or committed to the crown court for a jury trial.

The Guardian

The lists give details of the inner workings of England's lower tier courts and record each defendant's name, age, address, charge, plea and sentence – as well as whether the case is remanded in jail or committed to the crown court for a jury trial.

The Guardian

(It is perhaps not so shocking that the most outspoken are jailed or committed to mental institutions, or that they return to the petition office after being released).

The New York Times

There is no access to radical websites in prison, but in almost all the above cited cases individuals ended a jail sentence more committed to violent ideologies than before.

Vice

Having already battled substance abuse issues and been jailed repeatedly – even committed to a mental health facility – he seemed to have hit rock bottom.

The Guardian - Music

Found at his house, Mr. James was charged with aggravated harassment but was told that he could avoid jail by committing to a program of counseling and psychiatric medication.

The New York Times

If it's the former situation, as some of the candidates argue, all that is needed is the right candidate from the right departmental faction to complete a sweep of troublemakers and commit to better management of the jails, and all will be well.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "committed to jail" when you want to emphasize the formal legal process of someone being sent to jail, especially after a conviction or while awaiting trial.

Common error

Avoid using "committed to jail" interchangeably with phrases like "arrested" or "detained". "Committed to jail" implies a more formal and often longer-term confinement, typically after some legal proceedings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed to jail" functions as a passive construction describing the action of being officially placed in jail. This indicates a formal legal process, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "committed to jail" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. It denotes the formal action of being placed in jail following a legal decision or process. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to use it appropriately, distinguishing it from similar but distinct terms like "arrested" or "detained", and that other alternatives may be "sentenced to imprisonment" or "incarcerated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sentenced to imprisonment

Focuses on the judicial act of determining a prison sentence.

jailed

A simpler, more direct term for being put in jail.

incarcerated

A more general term for being confined in jail or prison.

imprisoned

A formal and direct term for being put in prison.

remanded in custody

Specifically refers to being held in jail while awaiting trial.

detained in jail

Focuses on the act of being held or kept in jail.

confined to a cell

Highlights the physical restriction of being in a jail cell.

taken into custody

Focuses on the initial act of being arrested and detained.

put behind bars

An idiomatic expression for being jailed.

locked up

An informal term for being jailed.

FAQs

What does "committed to jail" mean?

It means that someone has been officially ordered to be confined in jail, either after a conviction or while awaiting trial. It emphasizes the legal process leading to incarceration.

Is there a difference between "committed to jail" and "arrested"?

"Arrested" means someone has been taken into custody. "Committed to jail" means they have been formally ordered to remain in jail, often after an arrest or initial hearing.

What are some alternatives to saying "committed to jail"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "sentenced to imprisonment", "incarcerated", or "remanded in custody".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "committed to jail"?

Use "committed to jail" when you want to highlight the formal decision of a court or legal authority to place someone in jail, rather than simply the act of being arrested.