4

Please explain the difference in meaning between these two sentences. Not able to make out the difference.

He's in prison.

and

He's in the prison.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

The phrase "He is in prison." means that he is confined in a prison somewhere. His actual physical location is not important. This phrase indicates his status as a prisoner.

The phrase "He is in the prison." refers to his physical presence in a specific prison complex. The speaker may be standing inside or in front of the prison. He means that someone is inside the prison right now, possibly on business or as a visitor.

Improve this answer
2
  • 4
    Yes, this exactly. A prison guard is not "in prison" -- we could say the guard is inside the prison at the moment, but free to leave. Someone who is "in prison" (i.e. "imprisoned") is there until released.
    – Andrew
    May 18, 2017 at 21:06
  • 1
    I volunteer in prisons and in order to avoid any problems of nuance, my wife tells others that I am "at the prison" rather than "in the prison."
    – Ken Graham
    May 19, 2017 at 2:47
5

"In prison" holds the additional connotation of being in a prison as a prisoner. So you wouldn't use "in prison" to refer to, say, one of the officers working there, or someone visiting.

(I'll add that "in jail" vs. "in the jail" is the same.)

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    "is the same" = "works in the same manner," not "mean the same thing"
    – Yorik
    May 18, 2017 at 19:51

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .