What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imprison
Example
The criminal was imprisoned for ten years. [imprison: verb]
Example
The judge ordered the defendant to be imprisoned without bail. [imprisoned: past participle]
jail
Example
The suspect was taken to jail after being arrested. [jail: noun]
Example
The police officer threatened to jail the suspect if he did not cooperate. [jail: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jail is more commonly used than imprison in everyday language. Jail is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imprison is less common and is typically used in more formal or legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between imprison and jail?
Imprison is generally considered more formal than jail. It is often used in legal or official contexts, while jail can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
