What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detain
Example
The police detained the suspect for questioning. [detained: past tense]
Example
I was detained at the airport for carrying prohibited items. [detained: verb]
confine
Example
The prisoner was confined to his cell for 23 hours a day. [confined: past tense]
Example
The patient was confined to bed rest for a week. [confined: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detain is more commonly used in legal contexts, while confine is more versatile and can be used in various contexts. However, both words are less common in everyday language and may not be familiar to beginner ESL learners.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between detain and confine?
Both detain and confine are formal words that are typically used in legal, medical, or official contexts. They may not be appropriate for casual or informal situations.
