in an asylum where

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an asylum where" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a location or situation that takes place within an asylum, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The story unfolds in an asylum where the boundaries of reality and madness blur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The drama of "Quills" is contained in an asylum where de Sade is at first happily confined.

The New York Times

After a flirtation with arson, the sister lands in an asylum where she must battle a Nurse Ratched figure and come to terms with her anger.

The New York Times

This last act lands Robert in an asylum, where he spends his remaining days, with Clara prevented from visiting by the doctor in charge of his care.

The New York Times - Books

A Californian, Jeff Dolan, was placed in an asylum, where in 1890 he was reported by The Louisville Courier-Journal to routinely "go into the yard and take up a position as if behind the bat" until his death.

The New York Times - Sports

Soon enough, he is pulled back in: he consorts with vicious thugs, loses an arm, is falsely accused of another murder, and winds up in an asylum, where he imagines himself being hacked to pieces by Death in the guise of a ballad singer.

The New Yorker

After 20 years of marriage, Robert began to have psychotic visions, tried to commit suicide and eventually had to be housed in an asylum, where Clara visited him regularly.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

After Van Gogh cut off his ear, he committed himself to an asylum where he found solace in the support.

Huffington Post

At the start of the game you wake up under mysterious circumstances as an inmate in an insane asylum where the security system has malfunctioned.

The New York Times - Arts

Marlowe is even drugged and interned in an insane asylum, where he suffers through a nightmare of drug-induced hallucinations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Quills" is set in an insane asylum where the Marquis de Sade has been imprisoned.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was eventually confined in an Australian asylum, where he suffered paranoid delusions – once refusing to drink liquids for fear of drowning the Virgin Mary inside him.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more modern terminology like "psychiatric hospital" or "mental health facility" instead of "asylum" unless historical accuracy is required.

Common error

Avoid using "asylum" loosely. If you're not referring to a historical or fictional setting, opt for terms like "psychiatric hospital" or "mental health facility" to reflect current language and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an asylum where" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about a location. It sets the scene, indicating that the action takes place within the specified setting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in an asylum where" functions as a relative clause, serving to establish the setting of a narrative or description. It's grammatically sound and, according to Ludwig AI, suitable for use in written English. While technically correct, the term "asylum" may carry outdated or negative connotations, suggesting that more contemporary terms like "psychiatric hospital" or "mental health facility" might be more appropriate in certain contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, academic and Wiki sources, the phrase effectively provides context for events occurring within such institutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inside an asylum in which

Replaces 'where' with a more formal construction 'in which'.

within an asylum that

Substitutes 'in' with 'within' and 'where' with 'that', altering the prepositional and relative pronoun.

at an asylum in which

Changes 'in' to 'at' to emphasize the location. 'Where' is replaced with 'in which' to add formality.

in a psychiatric hospital where

Replaces "asylum" with a more modern term, "psychiatric hospital", while keeping "where" to maintain the relative clause.

inside the walls of an asylum where

Adds descriptive detail using 'inside the walls of' to emphasize confinement.

in a mental institution where

Substitutes "asylum" with "mental institution", a more clinical term.

within the confines of an asylum where

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the setting using 'within the confines of'.

at the asylum where

Changes 'in' to 'at' for a slight shift in locational emphasis.

housed in an asylum where

Adds the verb 'housed' to highlight the state of being accommodated in the asylum.

confined to an asylum where

Uses 'confined to' to stress the involuntary nature of being in the asylum.

FAQs

How can I use "in an asylum where" in a sentence?

This phrase sets the scene, describing a location. For instance, "The story unfolds "in an asylum where" the protagonist confronts their deepest fears."

What are some alternatives to "in an asylum where"?

Consider using phrases like "inside a psychiatric hospital where", "within the walls of an asylum where", or "at a mental institution where" for variety and to avoid repetition.

Is it appropriate to use the term "asylum" in modern writing?

While "asylum" is historically accurate, it's often associated with outdated and negative connotations. Using terms like "psychiatric hospital" or "mental health facility" may be more sensitive and contemporary.

What is the difference between "in an asylum where" and "at an asylum where"?

The difference is subtle. "In an asylum where" suggests being enclosed or contained within the asylum, while "at an asylum where" indicates a more general location or presence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.