to be institutionalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be institutionalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the process of being placed in an institution, often related to mental health or correctional facilities. Example: "After years of struggling with his mental health, he was finally admitted to a facility, where he would be institutionalized for treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1951, Anya had to be institutionalized.

The New Yorker

At some point, as his medical needs multiply, he will probably need to be institutionalized.

The New York Times

"Particularly in our developing country sites, it needs to be institutionalized," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

(And so the great enemy of institutions began to be institutionalized).

The New York Times - Magazine

Peter's eldest brother, Julius, who had to be institutionalized, was a schizophrenic who was intermittently catatonic.

The New York Times - Arts

The doctors told her that he needed to be institutionalized, and her husband and parents agreed.

The New York Times

Then she reaches a crisis point and has to be institutionalized at a place that Seth calls the Waiting Room.

The New York Times - Books

Late the next day, according to the C.I.A. story, it was decided that Olson needed to be institutionalized.

The New York Times - Magazine

But from now on there will be no free rides, no carte blanche — things need to be institutionalized".

The New York Times

He tells about Dismo, who stared at a single candle for hours & Eagle, who tried to fly, & how Ipsy came to be institutionalized.

The New Yorker

I was formerly owned by a young man with an anger-management disorder that was so serious he needed to be institutionalized.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to processes or systems, ensure clarity on whether you mean the act of placing someone in an institution or the act of making something part of the official system.

Common error

Avoid using "to be institutionalized" when "to be incarcerated" is more appropriate. Institutionalization typically refers to placement in a mental health facility or similar institution, while incarceration refers specifically to imprisonment as punishment for a crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be institutionalized" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It describes the state of being placed within an institution, often implying a lack of agency on the part of the subject. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts related to mental health treatment and correctional facilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be institutionalized" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates its prevalent use across News & Media and Science sources. While it often refers to placement in mental health or correctional facilities, it can also describe the formal establishment of systems or processes. When using this phrase, consider the context and choose more specific alternatives when appropriate to avoid ambiguity or stigmatization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be hospitalized

Focuses specifically on medical institutionalization, implying a hospital setting.

to be committed

Often implies involuntary placement in a mental health facility.

to be confined

Suggests restriction of movement, applicable to various institutional settings like prisons.

to be interned

Implies detention, often in the context of wartime or political situations.

to be placed in care

A broader term suggesting being put under the responsibility of an institution or caregivers.

to be formalized

Shifts the focus to the formal establishment of a process or system, rather than physical placement.

to be standardized

Emphasizes the establishment of a uniform process across an organization.

to be systematized

Highlights the creation of an organized system.

to be embedded

Indicates something becoming deeply ingrained within a structure or system.

to be enshrined

Suggests formal inclusion and protection, often in a legal or constitutional context.

FAQs

What does it mean "to be institutionalized"?

To be institutionalized typically means to be placed in a residential institution, such as a mental health facility or correctional institution, for a period of care, treatment, or confinement.

When might someone need "to be institutionalized"?

Someone might need "to be institutionalized" if they require long-term care or supervision due to a mental health condition, disability, or if they are serving a sentence for a crime.

What are some alternatives to saying "to be institutionalized"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to be hospitalized", "to be committed", "to be confined", or "to be placed in care".

Is there a difference between "to be institutionalized" and "to be hospitalized"?

"To be institutionalized" is a broader term that can refer to placement in various institutions, while "to be hospitalized" specifically refers to being admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.