house arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

"house arrest" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a legal order where a person is confined to their home instead of being sent to jail. This can be used when a person is awaiting trial or as a form of punishment for a minor offense. Example: After being found guilty of insider trading, the CEO was placed under house arrest for six months instead of being sent to prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wife under house arrest.

Stanford University

They remain under house arrest.

The New York Times

Scarpa's house arrest was revoked.

The New Yorker

He's now under house arrest.

The New York Times

She is under house arrest.

The New York Times

He was soon placed under house arrest.

The New York Times

A nation under permanent house arrest.

The New Yorker

He was originally put under house arrest.

Independent

She is now under house arrest.

The New York Times

Dissident activists were placed under house arrest.

The Economist

He releases the man from house arrest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "house arrest" with specific details about the restrictions, such as permitted travel times or electronic monitoring, to provide a more complete picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "house arrest" loosely to describe situations where someone is simply spending a lot of time at home. The term specifically refers to a legal restriction, not voluntary or circumstantial confinement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "house arrest" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in sentences to describe a legal situation where an individual is confined to their home. Ludwig AI indicates its common and correct usage. For example, "He is under house arrest."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "house arrest" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase denoting the state of being confined to one's home as a legal punishment or pre-trial condition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's most often found in News & Media and academic contexts. When writing about this topic, ensure the term accurately reflects a legally imposed restriction rather than simply spending time at home. Semantically related terms include "home confinement" and "residential confinement". The most authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

home confinement

Replaces "house" with "home", a synonym, offering a slightly more general term.

home detention

A direct synonym, using detention instead of arrest.

residential confinement

Uses "residential" instead of "house", emphasizing the dwelling aspect of the confinement.

being confined to one's home

Expresses the condition of "house arrest" in a descriptive manner.

restricted to one's residence

Focuses on the limitation of movement to the person's dwelling.

under curfew at home

Highlights the restriction aspect, implying a limited freedom even within the residence.

detained at home

Emphasizes the detention aspect, similar to imprisonment but at home.

subject to electronic monitoring at home

Highlights the surveillance aspect that often accompanies "house arrest".

serving time at home

A more colloquial expression, indicating the punitive nature of the confinement.

being kept under home surveillance

Emphasis on the act of monitoring with keeping someone at home.

FAQs

How is "house arrest" different from imprisonment?

"House arrest" involves confinement to one's residence, often with restrictions on leaving, whereas imprisonment is confinement in a penal institution. It serves as an alternative to traditional incarceration.

What are some conditions that might be imposed during "house arrest"?

Conditions can include electronic monitoring, restrictions on visitors, limitations on leaving the premises (except for essential activities), and prohibitions on alcohol or drug use.

What's the purpose of assigning someone to "house arrest"?

It can serve as a pre-trial detention measure, a sentencing alternative for less serious offenses, or a way to manage overcrowding in prisons while still holding offenders accountable.

Are there alternatives to using the term "house arrest"?

You could use alternatives like "home confinement" or "residential confinement", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.