put in prison

USAGE SUMMARY

"put in prison" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe when someone is sent to prison as a result of a criminal act or violation of the law. For example: After robbing a bank, the thief was put in prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He is a prisoner who was put in prison for defending his country," she said.

The New York Times

He was caught and put in prison.

The New York Times

He is put in prison.

The Guardian - Books

Why was he put in prison?

The Guardian

In the end, nobody was put in prison.

The New Yorker

"You can be put in prison or even killed anytime".

The New Yorker

They used kids because you wouldn't be put in prison.

The Guardian - Books

Why can't terrorists be prosecuted and put in prison?

The New Yorker

Not being put in prison for every protest one utters".

The New York Times

I was put in prison, and given very little food.

The Guardian

Strikes are often successful, and these days strike leaders hardly ever get put in prison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put in prison" in contexts where you want to emphasize the action of someone being confined rather than their state of being imprisoned. Other terms, like incarcerate, may focus more on the status.

Common error

Avoid replacing "put in prison" with overly formal or archaic terms like 'immure' or 'incarcerate' in informal contexts. While technically correct, these terms can sound stilted and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "put in prison" is as a verb phrase indicating the action of incarcerating someone. This is evident from the Ludwig AI response, which confirms its use in describing the act of sending someone to prison. The numerous examples provided showcase this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put in prison" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of imprisoning someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts, from news reports to encyclopedic entries. While more formal alternatives like "incarcerate" exist, "put in prison" provides a clear and widely understood way to convey the concept of confinement as a consequence of legal or judicial actions. It's versatile enough for both neutral and slightly formal contexts, making it a valuable phrase in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Imprison

A more concise, single-word alternative with a direct and forceful meaning.

Incarcerate

A formal and legal term indicating imprisonment, often used in official contexts.

Send to jail

A more informal alternative, often used in casual conversation.

Confine to prison

Emphasizes the act of restricting someone's freedom within a prison setting.

Commit to jail

A legal term describing the official process of sending someone to jail.

Take into custody

Focuses on the initial act of arresting and detaining someone.

Detain in custody

Highlights the act of holding someone in custody, which can lead to imprisonment.

Place behind bars

A more figurative and descriptive way to express imprisonment.

Order to be jailed

Emphasizes the legal order that results in imprisonment.

Condemn to confinement

Highlights the judicial sentencing of imprisonment.

FAQs

How do I use "put in prison" in a sentence?

You can use "put in prison" to describe the action of sending someone to jail as a result of a crime. For example: "The judge decided to "put in prison" the defendant for 10 years".

What is a more formal alternative to "put in prison"?

A more formal alternative to "put in prison" is "incarcerate". This term is often used in legal and official contexts.

Is it correct to say "placed in prison" instead of "put in prison"?

While "placed in prison" is grammatically correct, "put in prison" is more common and direct. Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "put in prison" is generally preferred for its simplicity.

What's the difference between "put in prison" and "sent to prison"?

Both "put in prison" and "sent to prison" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. However, "put in prison" emphasizes the action, while "sent to prison" emphasizes the destination.