administer punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

"administer punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of imposing a penalty or consequence on someone for a wrongdoing. For example, "The judge had to administer punishment to the convicted criminal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The belt was of course my father's leather belt, with which he would administer punishment.

The Washington Post

We can either build prisons till we go bust, or we can build the tools and the confidence in local communities to deal with crime and to administer punishment away from the grandstanding politicians and the tabloid press.

The Guardian - Opinion

Advocates of the law say that it ensures that federal courts across the country administer punishment uniformly, taking into account the nature and extent of the crime, a defendant's criminal history, admission of guilt and the victim's vulnerability.

The New York Times

He is also seen comparing President Hollande of France to a wartime prison guard who wants to "administer punishment beatings to anybody who chooses to escape, in the manner of some world war two movie".

The Guardian

The three legal forums at the heart of Remediation in Rwanda-genocide courts called inkiko gacaca, mediation committees called comite y'abunzi, and a legal aid clinic-all emphasized mediation based on principles of compromise and unity, brokered by third parties with the authority to administer punishment.

Stanford University

It's the foreign secretary Boris Johnson saying that France's president, François Hollande, "wants to administer punishment beatings to anyone who chooses to escape, rather in the manner of some World War II movie". Those most under the spell of imperial nostalgia have now become the sorcerers themselves, having somehow managed to conjure up a mandate to transform Britain in their image.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

What the researchers found through the use of brain scans is that reward-related regions of the brain were consistently activated when players administered punishment, especially when players had to pay to punish.

University of California, Berkeley

In line with earlier research (Fehr and Fischbacher 2003; Fehr and Gächter 2002; Henrich et al. 2006; Shinada et al. 2004), the costs of being punished were three times the costs of administering punishment.

Human Nature

He's administering punishment, and his face says: "Meh".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is an unfairly administered punishment whose claims as a deterrent have been largely discredited.

The New York Times

Hayes prefers the stern 'diet contract' suggested by Hobbes, in which the subject promises to lose weight to the sovereign who administers punishment if they fail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "administer punishment", ensure the context clearly indicates who is authorized to impose the penalty and what the basis for the punishment is. For instance, specify "the court will administer punishment" or "the parents administered punishment for disobedience".

Common error

Avoid using "administer punishment" in contexts where the action is not formally authorized or is considered vigilante justice. Ensure the act is within legal or ethical bounds. For example, instead of saying "the mob administered punishment", use more accurate terms like "inflicted violence" or "sought revenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "administer punishment" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the act of formally imposing a penalty or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "administer punishment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of formally imposing a penalty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for written English and finds its place across various contexts, including news reports, academic discussions, and legal documents. While alternatives like "impose a penalty" or "dispense punishment" exist, understanding the specific nuance each conveys is crucial for effective communication. Remember to clearly define who is authorized to "administer punishment" and the grounds for doing so to avoid misinterpretations and ensure ethical usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispense punishment

Replaces "administer" with "dispense", focusing on the act of distributing or giving out the punishment.

impose a penalty

Uses "impose" instead of "administer", highlighting the act of officially enforcing a penalty.

mete out justice

Emphasizes the delivery of justice, with punishment being a component of that process.

apply sanctions

Focuses on the use of sanctions as a form of punishment, especially in formal or legal contexts.

inflict a penalty

Highlights the act of causing someone to suffer a penalty.

hand down a sentence

Specifically refers to the pronouncement of a sentence by a judge or court.

exact retribution

Emphasizes the act of taking revenge or exacting a penalty for wrongdoing.

carry out a sentence

Focuses on the execution or implementation of a previously determined sentence.

enforce consequences

Highlights the act of making sure that the consequences of an action are applied.

apply disciplinary measures

Refers to the use of disciplinary actions as a form of punishment, particularly in organizational contexts.

FAQs

How is "administer punishment" used in a sentence?

You can use "administer punishment" to describe the act of formally imposing a penalty. For example, "The judge will "administer punishment" according to the severity of the crime".

What are some alternatives to "administer punishment"?

Alternatives include "impose a penalty", "dispense punishment", or "mete out justice", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "administer consequences" instead of "administer punishment"?

While "administer punishment" focuses specifically on penalties, "administer consequences" is broader and can include both positive and negative outcomes. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "administering justice" and "administering punishment"?

"Administering justice" refers to the broader process of ensuring fairness and equity, which may include various actions beyond just punishment. "Administering punishment" is a specific act within that process, focused on imposing penalties for wrongdoing.