in prison since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in prison since" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the duration of someone's imprisonment starting from a specific point in time. Example: "He has been in prison since 2015 for his involvement in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

He has been in prison since then.

The New York Times

I've been in prison since 2007.

The Guardian

She has been in prison since 1989.

The New York Times

He has been in prison since.

The New York Times

He's been in prison since his conviction.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He has been in prison since 1996 for robbery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

He had been in prison since 1993.

The New York Times

Gamal and Alaa have been in prison since last spring.

The New York Times

Bakkali has been in prison since last November.

The Guardian

He has been in prison since late June awaiting trial after being denied bail.

The New York Times

The Cape Town mother of two has been in prison since January 2015.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in prison since", ensure the date or event following 'since' is the exact starting point of the person's incarceration. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in prison since" with future tense verbs. The phrase describes a state that began in the past and continues to the present, not something that will happen in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in prison since" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the starting point of an ongoing state of incarceration. As Ludwig AI suggests, it specifies the time from which someone has been confined.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in prison since" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the starting point of someone's incarceration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the date or event following "since" accurately reflects when the imprisonment began. Alternatives like "incarcerated from" or "jailed since" can be used depending on the desired formality. However, avoid using "in prison since" with future tense verbs, as it describes an ongoing state from a past point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imprisoned from

Employs "imprisoned" as a formal equivalent of "in prison", retaining the temporal aspect.

jailed since

Uses "jailed" as a synonym for "in prison", offering a more concise alternative while retaining the starting point.

incarcerated from

Replaces "in prison" with "incarcerated" maintaining the timeframe reference, but using a different verb.

in custody since

Substitutes "in prison" with "in custody", indicating legal confinement, while keeping the initial date.

confined since

Uses "confined" instead of "in prison", indicating restriction to a place, starting from a particular point in time.

serving time since

Replaces the phrase with "serving time" to focus on the action of imprisonment.

detained from

Substitutes "in prison" with "detained", indicating a formal holding, and maintaining the initial time.

behind bars from

Uses the expression "behind bars" instead of "in prison", preserving the temporal starting point.

held captive since

Replaces "in prison" with "held captive", emphasizing a lack of freedom from a specific date.

a prisoner since

Reformulates to highlight the state of being a prisoner from a particular time.

FAQs

How do I use "in prison since" correctly in a sentence?

Use "in prison since" to indicate the start date or event from which someone has been incarcerated. For example, "He has been "in prison since" his conviction last year".

What are some alternatives to saying "in prison since"?

Alternatives include "incarcerated from", "jailed since", or "imprisoned from", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "in prison since" and "imprisoned since"?

"In prison since" is a more common and general phrase, while "imprisoned from" is more formal. Both indicate the start of someone's incarceration, but "imprisoned" carries a slightly more official tone.

Can I use "in prison since" to refer to a future event?

No, "in prison since" refers to a state that began in the past and continues to the present. It is incorrect to use it for future imprisonments. Use future tense verbs to indicate that.