a substantial punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a punishment that is significant in severity or impact. Example: "The judge decided to impose a substantial punishment on the defendant to reflect the seriousness of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A substantial punishment of Orpik would extend into Pittsburgh's first-round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The New York Times

"If the league doesn't come down with a substantial punishment, I think we're setting ourselves up for a huge problem down the line," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

In effect, the two sides appear to be seeking leverage through the news media, with baseball presumably hoping that the way its position is portrayed in various news reports will persuade Rodriguez and his team of advisers to accept a substantial punishment — much larger than the 65-game ban that Ryan Braun recently agreed to as part of the same investigation that has ensnared Rodriguez.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even if she's convicted yet again, Fairooz is highly unlikely to receive any substantial punishment, though jail time is theoretically possible.

HuffPost

The tribunal decided that Mercedes had been given tacit approval by the FIA to test with Pirelli, and that is why it felt it could not hand out a more substantial punishment.

The Guardian - Sport

The world, he said, had to understand that a criminal could not carry out so horrendous a scheme "without receiving substantial punishment".

The New York Times

The court is a state agency, imposing substantial punishment...

Harvard University

The court is a state agency, imposing substantial punishment, and the cases to be considered are gathered from the whole county by the energy of the village marshals and detectives regularly employed by the village for the purpose.

Cornell University

To charge someone with felony assault, which carries more substantial punishment than a misdemeanor, the victim usually needs to have evidence of serious bodily injury, like broken bones or cuts.

Huffington Post

"Brener's conduct warrants substantial punishment," Daniel L. Stein, an assistant United States attorney, told the judge in court papers.

The New York Times

MOSCOW — Two human rights campaigners said Thursday that despite personal intervention by President Dmitri A. Medvedev, officials responsible for the death of a lawyer last year in pretrial detention were facing no substantial punishment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial punishment", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and impact of the penalty. This phrase is most effective when the punishment is notably significant in its consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial punishment" for minor infractions or when the penalty is relatively light. Overstating the severity can diminish the impact and credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial punishment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'substantial' modifies 'punishment'. This phrase typically appears in legal, ethical, or disciplinary contexts to describe the magnitude of a consequence. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial punishment" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant penalty, typically in legal or disciplinary contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it's most frequently found in news and academic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the implication of a significant consequence, and consider alternatives like "a significant penalty" or "a severe consequence" to best fit the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant penalty

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the punishment.

a severe consequence

Focuses on the harshness or gravity of the outcome.

a major penalty

Highlights the severity and impact of the punishment.

a hefty fine

Specifically refers to a large monetary penalty.

a harsh sentence

Commonly used in legal contexts, denoting a rigorous punishment.

a considerable sanction

Highlights the authoritative or formal nature of the punishment.

a rigorous penalty

Indicates a strict and demanding punishment.

a stern reprimand

Implies a strong and serious rebuke, often formal.

a punitive measure

Describes an action taken with the intent to punish.

a deterrent penalty

Focuses on the punishment's role in preventing future offenses.

FAQs

How to use "a substantial punishment" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial punishment" when you want to emphasize that the penalty is significant and has major consequences. For example: "The judge imposed "a substantial punishment" to deter future crimes".

What can I say instead of "a substantial punishment"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant penalty", "a severe consequence", or "a hefty fine" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a substantial punishment" or "a significant punishment"?

Both "a substantial punishment" and "a significant punishment" are correct and can be used interchangeably, although "a substantial punishment" may imply a greater degree of severity.

What's the difference between "a substantial punishment" and "a minor penalty"?

"A substantial punishment" refers to a severe or significant penalty, while "a minor penalty" indicates a light or insignificant consequence. The choice depends on the severity of the situation.