What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
convicted
Example
The defendant was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. [convicted: past participle]
Example
The jury convicted the suspect of theft after a lengthy trial. [convicted: verb]
sentenced
Example
The judge sentenced the criminal to ten years in prison. [sentenced: past tense]
Example
After being found guilty, the defendant was sentenced to community service. [sentenced: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Convicted and sentenced are both commonly used in legal contexts, but sentenced is more versatile and can be used more broadly to refer to any punishment given for a wrongdoing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between convicted and sentenced?
Both convicted and sentenced are formal words that are typically used in legal contexts. However, sentenced can also be used in more informal contexts to refer to any punishment given for a wrongdoing.
