a common punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a type of penalty or consequence that is frequently applied in various contexts, such as legal, educational, or social situations. Example: "Detention is often seen as a common punishment for students who break school rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Demolishing homes is a common punishment in Pakistan's tribal areas, where residents adhere to a traditional legal code.

The New York Times

Floggings are a common punishment in Sudan for crimes like drinking alcohol and adultery, but sentences of stoning are rare.

The New York Times

Extrajudicial detentions, a common punishment for Chinese dissidents, are rarely handed out to foreigners, who are often deported almost immediately after being taken into custody.

The New York Times - Sports

People live in fear of their leaders, with being sent to the surface and a painful death by gassing a common punishment for dissenters.

The Guardian

Mr. Dvoracek narrowly escaped the death penalty, a common punishment for espionage, and eventually served a 14-year sentence, including hard labor in a uranium mine.

The New York Times

When Falun Gong was banned in mainland China in 1999, re-education through labor became a common punishment for practitioners.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Early in December, Mr Murphy faced excommunication, a fairly common punishment for members who question church doctrine.

The Economist

Suspension is a very common punishment in schools.

WikiHow

The most common punishment for a Tazir offence is lashing.

Wikipedia

Another common punishment was to tie a sailor's hands above his head for an extended period, in what is today known as a stress position.

The New Yorker

Here skeptical questioning of what we think we know, especially what we think we know about people and who is good and has something to offer to us are questioned in the chapter featuring stigmatized individuals, often with feet amputated (a common criminal punishment of the time), who turn out to be masters drawing as many students as Confucius.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common punishment", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the punishment common. Providing specific examples or referring to established norms enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming universality. Just because a punishment is common in one region, context, or time period doesn't mean it is universally so. Always specify the relevant context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common punishment" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of penalty or consequence. It indicates that a specific punitive measure is frequently applied or generally known within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common punishment" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a frequently applied penalty. While not extremely common, it's found across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and wiki sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and understanding its communicative purpose helps in employing it effectively within different writing styles. When using "a common punishment", remember to provide clear context to avoid overgeneralizations and ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent penalty

Replaces "punishment" with "penalty", maintaining the meaning but using a slightly different term.

a usual penalty

Replaces "common" with "usual", conveying a similar sense of ordinariness and frequency.

a typical consequence

Substitutes "punishment" with "consequence", broadening the scope to include non-punitive outcomes.

a routine penalty

Implies that the penalty is part of a regular procedure or system.

a standard retribution

Emphasizes the retributive aspect of the action, using "standard" to indicate commonality.

a regular form of discipline

Highlights that the punishment is part of a regular and organized way of keeping the discipline.

a widespread disciplinary measure

Highlights the disciplinary nature of the response, suggesting broad application.

a familiar repercussion

Highlights that the punishment is a well-known effect of an action.

a prevalent sanction

Uses "sanction" to indicate a formal disapproval, highlighting its common occurrence.

an often-applied correction

Focuses on the corrective intent behind the action, specifying its frequent application.

FAQs

How can I use "a common punishment" in a sentence?

You can use "a common punishment" to describe a penalty that is frequently applied for a particular offense. For example: "Detention is "a common punishment" for being late to class."

What are some alternatives to using "a common punishment"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a frequent penalty", "a typical consequence", or "a standard retribution".

Is it more appropriate to say "a common punishment" or "a typical punishment"?

Both "a common punishment" and "a typical punishment" are correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the frequency (common) or the representativeness (typical) of the punishment.

What's the difference between "a common punishment" and "a standard practice"?

"A common punishment" refers specifically to penalties, while "a standard practice" refers to general procedures or methods. The former is for disciplinary actions, the latter for regular operations.