What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interned
Example
During World War II, many Japanese Americans were interned in camps across the United States. [interned: verb]
Example
The journalist was interned by the government for reporting on sensitive information. [interned: past participle]
detained
Example
The suspect was detained by the police for questioning. [detained: verb]
Example
Passengers were detained at the airport due to security concerns. [detained: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detained is more commonly used than interned in everyday language, especially in legal and law enforcement contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interned and detained?
Both interned and detained are formal words used in serious contexts. However, detained is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations, while interned is less common and may be associated with more formal or academic writing.
