was sentenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sentenced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of a judge imposing a punishment on someone who has been found guilty of a crime. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the defendant was sentenced to five years in prison for his crimes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schwarz was sentenced first.

The New Yorker

He was sentenced to death.

Cornell University

He was sentenced to die.

Independent

Taylor was sentenced to life.

The New York Times - Magazine

On February 10 he was sentenced.

Cornell University

8 Respondent was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Cornell University

In 2012, he was sentenced to death.

The New Yorker

Mr. Walker was sentenced to 14 months.

The New York Times

Nichols was sentenced to life in prison.

Independent

He was sentenced to six months.

The New York Times

Mr. Sebastian was sentenced to five years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was sentenced", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context specifies the crime or reason for the sentencing.

Common error

Avoid using "was sentenced" with plural subjects; use "were sentenced" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sentenced" functions as the main verb in a passive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received a legal punishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was sentenced" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the legal outcome of a sentencing. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and widespread usage. It's primarily found in news and media, as well as academic and legal contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure proper subject-verb agreement and clarity regarding the crime and sentencing details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a sentence

Focuses on the act of receiving the punishment.

given a sentence

Highlights the action of giving or delivering the sentence.

handed down a sentence

Indicates the formal announcement of the sentence.

punished by

Emphasizes the act of being punished, though it's broader than just sentencing.

the judge decreed

Emphasizes the judge's official declaration.

the verdict was

Focuses on the outcome or decision of the court.

judgment was

Refers to the formal decision of the court.

court ruled

Highlights the authority and action of the court.

was given time

Informal way to refer to being sentenced to prison.

faced consequences

Broader term referring to the result of actions, not specifically legal.

FAQs

How is "was sentenced" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "was sentenced" is used in passive voice to indicate that a person received a legal punishment. For example, "The defendant "was sentenced" to five years in prison."

What are some alternatives to saying "was sentenced"?

Alternatives include "received a sentence", "given a sentence", or "punished by", depending on the specific context and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was sentenced"?

Yes, "was sentenced" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject to describe the passive action of receiving a sentence.

What's the difference between "was sentenced" and "was convicted"?

"Was convicted" refers to the act of being found guilty of a crime, while "was sentenced" refers to the subsequent imposition of a punishment. Someone must first be convicted before they "was sentenced".