they were confined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were confined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals are restricted or limited in their movement or freedom. Example: "During the storm, they were confined to their homes until it was safe to go outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But under the new system they were confined to their own doctor.

The New York Times

Although lesions were recurrent, they were confined to the gingiva, and multiple lesions did not develop.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

From the advent of free (open) boundary conditions, they were confined to mixed finite element procedures.

Journal of Computational Physics

They were confined to wheelchairs, suffered from a form of epilepsy and were unable to speak.

The New York Times

First, pictures were tolerated if they were confined to private apartments and harems of palaces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were confined to a limited array of jobs that paid less than similar work done by men.

Harvard University

Researchers already knew such features existed, but assumed they were confined mainly to Antarctica's fastest-warming, most northerly reaches.

Columbia University

Visiting Athens this week, they were confined to a luxury hotel and denied access to government ministries.

The Guardian - Business

For days, sometimes weeks, they were confined in the dark, their hands and feet bound, they said.

The New York Times

(Several other detainees who say that they were confined in the Dark Prison have described identical treatment).

The New Yorker

They were confined to a cabin for a weekend and made to listen to Ravel's "Boléro" over and over, endlessly.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were confined" when describing a situation where a group is physically restricted to a specific area or space. For broader limitations, consider alternatives like "they were restricted" or "they were limited".

Common error

Avoid using "they were confined" in purely abstract situations where "limited" or "restricted" would be more appropriate. Reserve "they were confined" for scenarios involving actual physical boundaries or enclosures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were confined" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group (represented by "they") experienced the action of being restricted or enclosed. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were confined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a past state of restriction or enclosure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedia entries. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to select this phrase when the context involves a clear restriction to a specific space or situation, considering alternatives such as "they were restricted" or "they were limited" for more abstract applications. Key authoritative sources employing this phrase include The New York Times and Britannica, highlighting its widespread acceptance and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were restricted

This alternative replaces "confined" with "restricted", maintaining a similar meaning of limitation but often implying a more formal or externally imposed limitation.

they were limited

This alternative uses "limited" instead of "confined", suggesting a boundary or constraint on their abilities or options rather than physical space.

they were imprisoned

This alternative uses "imprisoned", which specifically implies being held in a prison or similar enclosed space against their will.

they were detained

This implies a temporary holding or delay, often by authorities, rather than a permanent or long-term enclosure.

they were kept

This alternative uses "kept", suggesting a more general sense of being held in a particular place or condition.

they were held captive

This alternative uses "held captive", suggesting that they were captured and hold against their will.

they were fenced in

This is a more figurative alternative meaning they were enclosed.

their movements were restricted

This alternative emphasizes the limitation on movement rather than the place they were held.

their access was limited

This focuses on the restriction of access to something, rather than physical confinement.

they were hemmed in

This alternative suggests being surrounded or restricted by something, implying a lack of space or freedom to move.

FAQs

What does "they were confined" mean?

The phrase "they were confined" means that a group of people or things were restricted to a specific place or situation, limiting their freedom of movement or action.

What can I say instead of "they were confined"?

You can use alternatives like "they were restricted", "they were limited", or "they were detained" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "they are confined"?

Yes, "they are confined" is grammatically correct. It's the present tense form, indicating that they are currently restricted. "They were confined" indicates a past restriction.

How does "they were confined" differ from "they were imprisoned"?

"They were confined" suggests a general restriction to a place, while "they were imprisoned" specifically implies being held in a prison or similar institution against their will.