it was imprisoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was imprisoned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something is confined or restricted, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The once free spirit felt as though it was imprisoned by societal expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bell immediately was given 100 lashes with a whip, its ears were cut off so that it could not be hung and it was imprisoned in a windowless room in a monastery.

The New York Times

Free of the water, its wings can take over, and it can make a safe, controlled landing near the teacup or whatever it was imprisoned in.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Louisiana first became number 1 in the nation in 2005 when it was imprisoning 36,083 people.

Huffington Post

The words beneath it read, "I was imprisoned for one reason, promoting the peaceful freedom of religion".

Vice

I tend to think that this fear is exaggerated, and that the real characteristic of the architectural culture of this time isn't that it's imprisoned by preservation, but that it has co-opted the avant-garde.

The New Yorker

You've given the gift that keeps on giving, because it is imprisoned forever in the sunken city of R'lyeh.

TechCrunch

This affinity is so strong that the soul strives to leave the body in which it is imprisoned and to dwell in the realm of Forms.

SEP

Piketty's message on this score is clear yet forcefully unspoken: A man's chest is born free, but everywhere it is imprisoned...by buttons.

Huffington Post

It is imprisoning evangelical Christians, it jails more journalists than any other country on the continent, and the regime that once empowered women now rapes them.

The New York Times

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Shabab Islamist insurgent group, which controls much of southern Somalia, is blocking starving people from fleeing the country and setting up a cantonment camp where it is imprisoning displaced people who were trying to escape Shabab territory.

The New York Times

And Israel is building this wall it's imprisoning itself also, not just the Palestinians, and it comes from a mentality of not just domination but you're not preparing for peace you're preparing for war.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was imprisoned" when you want to emphasize the state of confinement or lack of freedom of a subject, particularly when the agent doing the imprisoning is unknown or unimportant. Consider whether a more specific synonym like "incarcerated" or "detained" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Be careful not to use "it was imprisoned" when a different verb of confinement is more appropriate. For example, use "it was detained" for temporary holding or "it was confined" for general restriction, as "imprisoned" specifically suggests a prison-like environment or analogous loss of freedom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was imprisoned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being confined. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was imprisoned" is a grammatically sound and usable passive construction, as affirmed by Ludwig. It describes a state of confinement, whether literal or metaphorical, and appears most frequently in News & Media sources. While relatively uncommon, its meaning is clear, and it can be effectively used when the agent of imprisonment is unknown or unimportant. Ludwig AI suggests considering synonymous alternatives like "it was confined" or "it was detained" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was confined

Replaces "imprisoned" with a synonym, maintaining the passive voice and meaning of restriction.

it was incarcerated

Uses a more formal synonym for "imprisoned", suggesting legal or official confinement.

it was held captive

Emphasizes the state of being held against its will, highlighting the lack of freedom.

it was kept in captivity

Similar to "held captive", but uses a noun phrase to describe the state of confinement.

it was locked up

Uses a more informal and direct expression for being imprisoned.

it was restrained

Indicates a limitation of movement or freedom, broader than just physical imprisonment.

it was detained

Implies a temporary holding, often by authorities, for investigation or other purposes.

it was interned

Suggests confinement during wartime or other periods of conflict, often for specific groups.

it was impounded

Typically refers to the seizing and holding of property by authorities.

it was caged

Emphasizes the feeling of being trapped or confined like an animal in a cage.

FAQs

What does "it was imprisoned" mean?

The phrase "it was imprisoned" means that something or someone was confined, typically in a prison or a similar place, or metaphorically restricted in some way.

What are some synonyms for "it was imprisoned"?

Some synonyms for "it was imprisoned" include "it was confined", "it was incarcerated", "it was detained", and "it was held captive", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "it was imprisoned" in a sentence?

You can use "it was imprisoned" in a sentence to describe the state of something or someone being confined, such as: "The bell immediately was given 100 lashes with a whip... and "it was imprisoned" in a windowless room in a monastery."

Is "it was imprisoned" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was imprisoned" is generally considered neutral in formality. However, the context and surrounding vocabulary can influence the overall tone. More formal synonyms like "it was incarcerated" may be preferred in formal writing.