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preposition after verb

How to use "imprison" with prepositions

Imprison for introduces the reason or offence. Imprison in introduces the place of confinement.

Quick answer

Reason vs place

Use imprison someone for a crime or imprison someone in a prison, cell, or location.

imprisoned for theft
imprisoned in a remote camp

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
imprison + person

Naming who is confined

Imprison commonly takes a direct object.

imprison political opponents
2
imprison + person + for + offence

Giving the reason

For introduces the crime or cause.

imprisoned him for fraud
3
imprison + person + in + place

Giving the location

In introduces the place of confinement.

imprisoned in a small cell

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
imprison for
She was imprisoned for tax evasion.
Shows the reason or offence.
imprison in
The rebels were imprisoned in underground cells.
Shows the place of confinement.
imprison by
The activists were imprisoned by the regime.
By names the agent in passive voice.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in for the offence

In should refer to the location, not the reason.

✕ He was imprisoned in robbery. ✓ He was imprisoned for robbery.

Using for for the place

For does not introduce the prison location.

✕ They were imprisoned for a camp. ✓ They were imprisoned in a camp.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The man was imprisoned ___ armed robbery.
2. The prisoners were imprisoned ___ a fortress.
3. The journalist was imprisoned ___ the military government.

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Frequently asked questions

Is "imprison for" correct?

Yes. It introduces the offence or reason.

When do we use "imprison in"?

Use it for the place of confinement.

Can imprison be used figuratively?

Yes. Writers sometimes use it metaphorically, such as imprisoned in fear.

identify-with-by-in-as, for "ignore by" or "ignore in"? illuminate by, with, at, for or in? "illustrate by" or "illustrate in"? "imagine for", "imagine by" or "imagine in"? imbue with, in, by or onto? immigrate to, from, in, with or into? impair by, for, in, because or throughout? "impart to", "impart in" or "impart by"? "impeach by" or "impeach for"? "impinge on" or "impinge upon"? "implement in" or "implement by"?

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