he was sentenced

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was sentenced" is an appropriate phrase that is commonly used in written English.
For example, "He was sentenced to five years in prison for theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was sentenced to death.

Cornell University

He was sentenced to die.

Independent

On February 10 he was sentenced.

Cornell University

He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Cornell University

In 2012, he was sentenced to death.

The New Yorker

He was sentenced to six months.

The New York Times

He was sentenced to life in prison.

The New York Times

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Economist

He was sentenced to death in 1983.

The New York Times

He was sentenced to 16 years.

The New York Times

He was sentenced to be hanged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was sentenced", ensure the context clearly indicates the crime or reason for the sentencing. For example, "He was sentenced to five years for fraud."

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "He was sentenced." Always specify the crime or the length of the sentence to provide clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was sentenced" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (he) received a sentence as a result of a legal judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

27%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was sentenced" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that reports the legal outcome of a sentencing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts. It's commonly found in news reports and academic writing, serving to convey factual information about legal consequences. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the crime or duration of the sentence. Related phrases such as "he received a sentence" offer alternative ways to express the same concept. Overall, the phrase is a neutral and informative way to communicate the results of a legal judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received a sentence

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on what he received rather than what was done to him.

the judge sentenced him

Focuses on the actor (the judge) who imposed the sentence, rather than on the recipient of the sentence.

sentence was passed on him

Emphasizes the formal declaration of the sentence, but uses a less common phrasing.

he faced sentencing

Shifts the focus to the period or process of sentencing rather than the actual imposition of a sentence.

he was given a term

Refers specifically to the length or type of the sentence handed down.

judgment was rendered against him

Implies a formal legal decision that includes a sentence, often in a more legalistic context.

the court delivered its verdict

Describes the pronouncement of the court's decision, which includes the sentencing.

he drew a sentence of

Uses an idiom to describe receiving a specific length of sentence.

he was condemned

Implies strong disapproval and formal declaration of guilt and punishment.

he heard his fate

Focuses on the moment of hearing the sentence, emphasizing the finality of the legal outcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "he was sentenced"?

It means that a court of law has formally declared the punishment for a crime that person committed. The sentence could be imprisonment, probation, a fine, or another form of penalty.

What can I say instead of "he was sentenced"?

You can use alternatives like "he received a sentence", "the judge sentenced him", or "he was given a term depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was sentenced"?

Yes, "he was sentenced" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction indicating that a sentence was imposed upon him.

What's the difference between "he was sentenced" and "he was convicted"?

"He was convicted" means he was found guilty of a crime, while "he was sentenced" means the punishment for that crime has been determined. One follows the other.