under house arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

"under house arrest" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone who is confined to their home due to legal restrictions. For example, "The suspect has been placed under house arrest while the police continue their investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They remain under house arrest.

The New York Times

He's now under house arrest.

The New York Times

She is under house arrest.

The New York Times

He was soon placed under house arrest.

The New York Times

He was originally put under house arrest.

Independent

She is now under house arrest.

The New York Times

Dissident activists were placed under house arrest.

The Economist

Alexey was placed under house arrest.

The New Yorker

Political leaders were put under house arrest.

The Economist

Captain Schettino is under house arrest.

The New York Times

She has been placed under house arrest.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or political situations, use the phrase "under house arrest" to clearly indicate that someone is legally confined to their home as a form of punishment or pre-trial detention.

Common error

Avoid using "under house arrest" when referring to situations where someone is simply staying home voluntarily or due to illness. The phrase specifically implies a legal or authoritative order.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under house arrest" functions as a prepositional phrase typically used as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's state of confinement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under house arrest" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe someone who is legally confined to their home. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. Primarily found in news and encyclopedic contexts, the phrase clearly communicates a specific type of legal restriction. When writing, ensure you use "under house arrest" only when referring to legally mandated confinement, differentiating it from voluntary or medically advised home stays. Consider alternatives like "subject to home detention" or "confined to quarters" based on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under home arrest

A slightly less common but directly synonymous alternative.

subject to home detention

A legal term emphasizing the enforced nature of the confinement.

domiciliary arrest

A more technical and legalistic synonym for house arrest.

placed under residential confinement

A more formal and legalistic way of expressing the restriction to one's residence.

detained at home

Emphasizes the act of being held against one's will in a domestic setting.

restricted to their residence

Highlights the limitation of movement to the area of one's home.

under judicial confinement at home

Highlights the judicial order mandating the home confinement.

confined to quarters

Focuses on the physical restriction to a specific location, often used in military contexts.

kept in domestic custody

Suggests a form of imprisonment within the confines of a home.

forced to stay indoors

A broader term encompassing various reasons for being confined to one's home, not necessarily legal.

FAQs

How is "under house arrest" different from being in jail?

Being "under house arrest" means you are confined to your home, often with restrictions like electronic monitoring, whereas being in jail means confinement in a correctional facility.

What are some synonyms for "under house arrest"?

You can use phrases like "subject to home detention", "under home arrest", or "confined to quarters" depending on the context.

Can someone "under house arrest" leave their home for work or medical appointments?

It depends on the specific conditions set by the court. Sometimes, individuals "under house arrest" are allowed to leave for essential activities with permission.

What happens if someone violates the terms of their "house arrest"?

Violating the terms of "house arrest" can lead to stricter penalties, including being sent to jail or prison.