What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imprisoned
Example
He was imprisoned for ten years for his involvement in the robbery. [imprisoned: adjective]
Example
The hostages were imprisoned in a small room for several days. [imprisoned: verb]
jailed
Example
He was jailed for a week for drunk driving. [jailed: adjective]
Example
The suspect was jailed for questioning by the police. [jailed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jailed is more commonly used than imprisoned in everyday language. Jailed is a more versatile term that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while imprisoned is more specific and often reserved for legal or formal situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between imprisoned and jailed?
Imprisoned is generally considered more formal than jailed, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
