in detention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in detention" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is being held in confinement as a form of punishment or as a precautionary measure. Example: "The students were caught vandalizing the school and were placed in detention for three days as a consequence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not in detention, nothing".

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Zsch? remains in detention.

The New York Times

They languish in detention centers.

The New York Times

They are still in detention.

The New York Times

Many have died in detention".

The New York Times

Ms. Zschäpe remains in detention.

The New York Times

The Lady continues in detention.

The Economist

She served approximately eight months in detention.

The New Yorker

Abuse in detention centres is routine.

The Economist

Her voice buoyed him in detention.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was a regular in detention.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in detention" to specifically refer to the state of being held, whether it's in a school, immigration center, or prison. It accurately conveys the condition of restricted freedom.

Common error

Avoid using "in detention" when describing long-term imprisonment after a conviction. It's more appropriate for temporary holding or school punishments. Instead, use "imprisoned" or "incarcerated" for long-term sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in detention" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a state of being confined or held by authorities. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in detention" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the state of being confined, whether in a school setting, an immigration facility, or a prison. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "in custody" or "in confinement" exist, "in detention" specifically implies a period of being held, often temporarily. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the context and duration of the confinement being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in custody

Focuses more on the legal aspect of being held by authorities.

in confinement

Emphasizes the state of being enclosed or restricted.

held captive

Highlights the lack of freedom and involuntary nature of the situation.

imprisoned

Suggests a longer-term or more formal state of being held.

incarcerated

Similar to imprisoned, but often used in a legal or correctional context.

in jail

Specifies the location of confinement as a jail.

behind bars

A more figurative expression for being in prison.

under arrest

Indicates the process of being taken into custody.

in remand

Specifically refers to being held while awaiting trial.

in a correctional facility

Formal way to mention being held in an institution by a State.

FAQs

How is "in detention" different from "in prison"?

"In detention" typically refers to a shorter period of confinement, often for administrative or investigative purposes, or as a school punishment. "In prison" implies a longer sentence as a result of a criminal conviction.

What are some alternatives to saying "in detention"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in custody", "in confinement", or "held captive".

Can "in detention" be used for animals?

While technically correct if an animal is being held somewhere, "in detention" is most commonly used for people. Terms like "confined" or "housed" are more typical for animals.

Is it correct to say someone is "at detention" instead of "in detention"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "in". Saying someone is "at detention" is grammatically incorrect and not standard usage.