a serious fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing penalties or consequences that are significant in nature, often in legal or regulatory contexts. Example: "If you fail to comply with the regulations, you could face a serious fine that may impact your business operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

According to what's listed on a widely sold souvenir T-shirt emblazoned "Singapore — A Fine City," the acts that can bring you a serious fine include not only gum-chewing and littering and smoking and spitting but also carrying a durian on a public conveyance.

The New Yorker

Yes, you'd commonly get $6 to $15 a pound but you would also go to jail, or at least pay a serious fine, up to $50,000.

Forbes

"This is a serious fine that will capture the attention of agricultural water users in the entire state of California," said Mark Gold, associate vice chancellor of environment and sustainability at UCLA. "The response from the agricultural community is going to be almost as important as the enforcement action".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'm talking about E&J Gallo, which has become a serious fine-wine producer in recent years.

The New York Times - Food

The result has been the creation, for the first time, of a serious fine-dining scene, offering one more good reason to linger in the city before taking off on that Galápagos tour.

The New York Times - Travel

In addition, a serious fine-dining experience requires reservationists "12 hours a day, seven days a week," Mr. Brown said, "a minimum of three people making $30,000 apiece per year plus benefits".

The New York Times - Food

"If Mark [Allen] is found guilty of being in breach of his player's contract, then I'd expect a more serious fine.

Independent

China has experienced serious fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in recent years, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions must be controlled so that China can keep its pledge to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Chef/owner William Belickis attracts chic gourmands for casual lounge grazing or more serious fine dining at one of Seattle's premier destinations.

Huffington Post

He said the decision left open the possibility that any live news event, like a war protest at one of the political conventions this year where someone utters a vulgarity, or any live sports event where fans hold up signs containing objectionable words, could leave a broadcaster subject to serious fines.

The New York Times

Lord Hunt, chairman of the about to become redundant Press Complaints Commission, has urged for a new regulatory authority with a standards arm in addition to a mediation service, backed up by a contractual system through which it could potentially levy serious fines.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious fine", consider the context. If you are discussing a legal situation, this phrase is appropriate. However, in less formal settings, consider using alternatives like "hefty penalty" to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious fine" in very casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or legalistic. Instead, opt for simpler terms like "big fine" or "major penalty" to fit the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious fine" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. This signifies a substantial financial penalty imposed as a consequence of an action or violation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a serious fine" denotes a significant financial penalty, typically imposed for substantial violations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct grammatical standing. While grammatically sound and understandable, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards formal or legal contexts. Its communicative intent is to highlight the severity of consequences. When using this phrase, consider the audience and context; in more informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase is most often found in News & Media sources, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty" emphasizing the punitive aspect, while "substantial" denotes a significant amount.

a significant financial penalty

More specific, highlighting the financial aspect of the penalty and its importance.

a hefty financial sanction

"Hefty" implies a large amount and "sanction" suggests an official punishment.

a severe monetary penalty

"Severe" suggests the penalty is harsh and "monetary" specifies it involves money.

a large financial levy

Emphasizes the financial aspect and uses "levy" indicating an imposed payment.

a considerable monetary sanction

"Considerable" indicates a notable amount; sanction implies official disapproval and punishment.

a punitive financial charge

"Punitive" directly conveys the penalty's intent as punishment; "charge" suggests a required payment.

a major fiscal imposition

"Major" signifies significance and "imposition" describes the act of enforcing a payment or rule.

a heavy financial burden

Focuses on the negative financial impact of the fine.

a costly financial repercussion

Highlights that the fine is a result of an action and that it is expensive.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a serious fine"?

Alternatives include "substantial penalty", "hefty fine", or "severe penalty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does the severity of "a serious fine" compare to other penalties?

A "serious fine" implies a significant financial consequence, often reserved for substantial violations or offenses. It suggests a higher level of punishment compared to a standard or minor fine.

Is it appropriate to use "a serious fine" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a serious fine" might sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "big fine" or "major penalty" to better suit the tone.

What types of violations typically result in "a serious fine"?

Violations that could lead to "a serious fine" range from environmental infractions and regulatory non-compliance to significant breaches of contract or legal statutes. These are usually more impactful and costly than minor offenses.