they were imprisoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were imprisoned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where individuals have been confined or detained, typically by legal authority. Example: "After the trial, they were imprisoned for their crimes against humanity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were imprisoned for bribery and later pardoned.

The New York Times

They were imprisoned and butchered for their pains.

The Guardian - Books

They were imprisoned in Atlanta, but broke out in October 1862.

The New York Times

They were imprisoned back at Goliad, where Antonio López de Santa Anna ordered their wholesale execution.

Britannica

They were imprisoned in the Tower of London; Fisher was already seriously ill.

Britannica

Instead, they were imprisoned for four and a half years and six years respectively.

The Guardian

They were imprisoned within the house by the community's presence at the pool.

The New Yorker

"The crime of sedition they were imprisoned for is superarchaic," Mr. Diaz said.

The New York Times

They were imprisoned for two months, held under house arrest for four more, and then exiled to England.

The New Yorker

They were imprisoned in off and onshore concentration camps set up, run and paid for by Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Researchers noted that they were 'imprisoned' by critical and analytical language, which is difficult to understand by the policymaker.

Health Policy and Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were imprisoned" when you want to emphasize the state of being confined as a consequence of an action or event. This passive construction is useful when the actor is less important than the fact of imprisonment.

Common error

Avoid using "they were imprisoned" when you intend to describe the act of imprisoning. In such cases, use the active voice: "The authorities imprisoned them."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were imprisoned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of individuals experienced the action of being confined. Ludwig shows many examples that demonstrate its use in describing legal and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were imprisoned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction to describe the confinement of individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency is high across news, encyclopedia entries, and academic texts. The phrase serves primarily to inform or report about the state of being imprisoned, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that it aligns with the intended emphasis on the state of confinement rather than the act of imprisoning, and consider more formal alternatives like "they were incarcerated" for specific writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were incarcerated

A more formal synonym indicating imprisonment.

they were detained

Implies a temporary holding, often for investigation.

they were confined

Suggests restriction to a specific area, not necessarily a prison.

they were held captive

Emphasizes a lack of freedom and control over their situation.

they were put in jail

A more colloquial way of saying they were imprisoned.

they were taken prisoner

Highlights the act of being captured and then imprisoned.

they were kept in custody

Focuses on the legal aspect of being held by authorities.

their freedom was taken away

Emphasizes the loss of liberty.

they were behind bars

An idiomatic expression for being in prison.

they were interned

Typically used for confinement during wartime or political unrest.

FAQs

What's the difference between "they were imprisoned" and "they were incarcerated"?

While both phrases mean the same thing, "they were incarcerated" is generally considered more formal than "they were imprisoned".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were detained", "they were confined", or "they were held captive" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was imprisoned"?

No, the correct form is "they were imprisoned". The plural pronoun "they" requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".

Can "they were imprisoned" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "they were imprisoned" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "they were incarcerated" might be preferred in highly formal writing.