term of imprisonment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "term of imprisonment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the duration of time a person is sentenced to serve in prison. Example: "The judge sentenced him to a term of imprisonment of five years for his crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But federal prosecutors asked in their own letter for "a lengthy term of imprisonment".

The New York Times

But his first term of imprisonment came under the Weimar government.

The New Yorker

"I'm just able in all the circumstances here to suspended the term of imprisonment," he said.

The Guardian

The man has been convicted to a substantial term of imprisonment.

The Guardian

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not place on probation any person convicted of a violation of this section; nor shall the term of imprisonment imposed under this section run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment.

Cornell University

the offender's release from any term of imprisonment was within 15 years of the commencement of the instant offense.

Cornell University

In recent years, we have seen such devices as indeterminate sentences and parole added to the traditional term of imprisonment.

Cornell University

A term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be consecutive to the sentence of imprisonment for any other offense.

Cornell University

A felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment of one year or more.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

(Service provider Housing NSW) … near the end of that term [of imprisonment], that's when there should be some real serious work done with that client with regards to setting up the supports ready to go out.

BMC Family Practice

… near the end of that term [of imprisonment], that's when there should be some real serious work done with that client with regards to setting up the supports ready to go out.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "term of imprisonment" when precision and formality are required, such as in legal documents or news reports. For less formal writing, consider using "prison sentence".

Common error

Avoid using "term of imprisonment" interchangeably with phrases that imply something slightly different, such as "time served", which refers to the portion of the sentence already completed, or "life sentence", which refers to the potential duration, not the set "term".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "term of imprisonment" functions primarily as a noun phrase specifying a duration of time during which someone is confined to prison. Ludwig examples highlight its use in legal and news contexts, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "term of imprisonment" is a commonly used phrase, particularly in legal and journalistic writing, to denote the length of time a person is sentenced to prison. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for formal contexts. While alternatives like "prison sentence" exist, "term of imprisonment" offers a level of precision often required in legal or official documentation. As highlighted by the examples, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, distinguishing it from related terms like "time served" or "life sentence". This phrase is very frequent in News & Media and Academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prison sentence

This alternative is shorter and more commonly used in everyday language.

prison term

This is a shorter and slightly less formal version of the original phrase.

period of incarceration

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing the same concept.

length of confinement

This alternative emphasizes the restriction of freedom associated with imprisonment.

custodial sentence

This alternative is often used in legal or official contexts.

time in prison

This alternative is a simpler, more direct way to describe the concept.

sentence length

This alternative focuses specifically on the duration of the sentence.

incarceration period

This is a more technical or bureaucratic term.

detention period

This alternative can be used when the imprisonment is pre-trial or for a shorter duration.

time served

This refers to the actual duration someone spends in prison.

FAQs

What is another way to say "term of imprisonment"?

You can use alternatives like "prison sentence", "period of incarceration", or "custodial sentence" depending on the context.

Is "term of imprisonment" a formal phrase?

Yes, "term of imprisonment" is considered a formal phrase, often used in legal, journalistic, and academic contexts. Less formal alternatives include "prison term" or "time in prison".

How do I use "term of imprisonment" in a sentence?

You can use "term of imprisonment" to specify the duration of a prison sentence, for example: "The judge sentenced him to a "term of imprisonment" of five years." or "The law mandates a minimum "term of imprisonment" for certain offenses."

What's the difference between "term of imprisonment" and "life sentence"?

"Term of imprisonment" refers to a specific duration of imprisonment, while "life sentence" indicates imprisonment for the remainder of one's life, possibly with or without the possibility of parole. A "term of imprisonment" is finite; a "life sentence" is indefinite.