a substantial sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a sentence that is significant in length, importance, or impact, often in a legal or literary context. Example: "The judge delivered a substantial sentence, reflecting the severity of the crime committed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Prosecutors had asked for a "substantial" sentence.

The New York Times

"Forty-six years is a substantial sentence for a man of Krstic's age," he said "The essence is there.

The New York Times

Still, they said, the seriousness of his crimes and the need for general deterrence required "a substantial sentence".

The New York Times

After all, the government obtained a substantial sentence apparently without having to disclose sensitive information or otherwise compromise its fight against on terrorism.

The New York Times

Mr. Stewart is almost sure to receive at least some time in prison, even if the judge imposes a punishment below the government's likely recommendation of a substantial sentence.

The New York Times

"It was a substantial sentence that will most assuredly send a message that bankruptcy fraud will not be tolerated," said an assistant United States attorney, Charles Kleinberg, who was the lead federal prosecutor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Before his conviction, months of speculation in Jamaica suggested Coke would seek to avoid a more substantial sentence by doing a deal with prosecutors that would prove highly embarrassing to the Jamaican government and some prominent politicians.

The Guardian

The judge Jonathan Rose told Johnson a substantial custodial sentence was "an almost inevitable outcome" when he is sentenced later this month at Bradford crown court.

The Guardian

Cheshire Police said Nicholson's substantial sentence would send out a clear message to others involved in money-lending schemes.

Independent

The judge, Mr Justice Dodgson, warned him he faced a substantial custodial sentence, and adjourned the case for probation reports.

The Guardian

"I should make clear that, in my judgment, this is a case that will in all likelihood need a substantial custodial sentence," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial sentence", ensure the context clearly indicates the length or severity being emphasized. For example, specify the crime or the standard sentencing guidelines to provide adequate context.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial sentence" when referring to minor penalties or non-custodial punishments. This phrase typically implies a significant period of imprisonment or a severe legal consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial sentence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "sentence". Ludwig AI shows it is commonly used in legal contexts to describe the magnitude of a punishment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial sentence" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote a considerable or severe legal punishment. Predominantly found in news and formal contexts, the phrase emphasizes the significance of the sentence imposed. According to Ludwig AI, while alternatives exist, this phrase effectively communicates the gravity of the legal consequence. When employing this phrase, ensuring the context aligns with its implication of seriousness is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant penalty

Replaces "sentence" with "penalty", focusing on the punitive aspect, and "substantial" with "significant", keeping same meaning.

a considerable term of imprisonment

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable" and "sentence" with "term of imprisonment", providing a more detailed description.

a lengthy prison term

Focuses on the duration of the sentence by using "lengthy prison term"

a harsh punishment

Emphasizes the severity of the sentence by using "harsh punishment"

a severe judgment

Shifts the focus to the judicial decision using "severe judgment"

a rigorous sentence

Highlights the strictness of the sentence with "rigorous".

a material sentence

Replaces "substantial" with "material", denoting importance or relevance.

an extended incarceration

Uses more formal language to describe a long period of imprisonment.

a sizable custodial sentence

Specifies that the sentence is custodial (involving imprisonment) and replaces "substantial" with "sizable".

a noteworthy consequence

Broadens the context to include any significant outcome or result.

FAQs

What does "a substantial sentence" mean in a legal context?

In law, "a substantial sentence" refers to a prison term or penalty that is considerable in length or severity, reflecting the seriousness of the crime committed. It indicates more than a minimal or nominal punishment.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a substantial sentence"?

Use "a substantial sentence" when you want to emphasize the significant length or impact of a legal punishment, typically involving imprisonment. It's suitable for describing serious crimes and their corresponding penalties.

What are some alternatives to "a substantial sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant penalty", "a considerable term of imprisonment", or "a lengthy prison term" to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

How does "a substantial sentence" differ from "a light sentence"?

"A substantial sentence" implies a significant and severe punishment, whereas "a light sentence" suggests a lenient or minimal penalty. The former is used for serious offenses, while the latter is applied to less severe crimes or mitigating circumstances.