What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jailing
Example
The judge sentenced the criminal to jailing for five years. [jailing: noun]
Example
The police officer arrested the suspect and charged him with jailing. [jailing: verb]
custody
Example
The mother was awarded full custody of her children after the divorce. [custody: noun]
Example
The suspect was taken into police custody for questioning. [custody: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jailing is less commonly used than custody in everyday language. Custody is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts, including family law and child protection cases, while jailing is more specific to the criminal justice system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jailing and custody?
Jailing and custody are both formal terms used in legal contexts. However, jailing may be considered more informal due to its association with punishment and criminal justice, while custody can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.