apply a fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply a fine" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of imposing or levying a financial penalty for breaking a rule or law. Here is an example: "The city council voted to apply a fine of $500 for any resident found violating the noise ordinance after 10 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Utility has also been combined with control theory in [41, 44] to apply a fine grain configuration of CPU and memory, by estimating the benefits of potential adaptations and incorporating a notion of risk.

Journal of Cloud Computing

The FTC can apply a fine of $40,000 per privacy violation — so with up to 87 million Facebook users' data leaked to Cambridge Analytica there is at least a chance Facebook will end up with a sanction that Zuckerberg is able to remember.

TechCrunch

Use a spray bottle filled with water to apply a fine misting of water to your hair.

WikiHow

Use the filled spray gun to apply a fine layer of gelcoat to the desired area of the fiberglass.

WikiHow

Now apply a fine line of eyeliner to define those eyes, then apply kajal for the depth to your eyes and apply mascara to the lashes.

WikiHow

Use a garden hose or watering can to apply a fine mist or gentle spray of water to the seeds to moisten the soil without washing the seeds away.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The color is derived by applying a fine white clay called kaolin, which is found in nearby riverbeds.

The New York Times

In another work, a black and white photograph of a tree stump in winter finds an echo in Macintyre's Winter Sculpture, a tree branch to which the artist has applied a fine layer of gold leaf.

The Guardian - Arts

By applying a fine conducting powder to a gun or bullet casing, the fingerprint reveals itself after an electric charge is applied.

TechCrunch

Brian Farrell, an evolutionary entomologist at Harvard University, decided to test the idea by applying a fine lens to the most successful insects of all, the beetles.

Science Magazine

That's a tall order, of course, but the court has also applied a fine of around $9,000 per day following a 10-day grace period in case the rules haven't been followed.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or regulatory matters, use "apply a fine" to clearly indicate the act of imposing a financial penalty for a specific infraction.

Common error

Avoid using "apply a fine" when referring to general consequences or punishments that are not strictly monetary. Ensure that the context involves a financial penalty specifically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply a fine" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of imposing a financial penalty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apply a fine" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to indicate the imposition of a financial penalty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used across different contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. While not extremely frequent, it's a reliable phrase for describing regulatory or punitive actions. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly involves a financial penalty to avoid misinterpretations. You can also consider alternatives like "impose a penalty" or "levy a charge" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose a penalty

This alternative focuses on the action of enforcing a consequence, specifically a penalty.

issue a fine

This focuses on the act of formally declaring and delivering the fine.

levy a charge

This phrase emphasizes the act of officially charging a fee or tax.

assess a penalty

This alternative highlights the evaluation and determination of the penalty amount.

slap a fine on

This is a more informal way of saying impose a fine, often implying a swift or harsh action.

exact a toll

This phrase suggests a more forceful or demanding imposition of a fee or consequence.

administer a sanction

This alternative implies a formal or official application of a punitive measure.

hand down a fine

This implies that the fine is being officially announced, usually by a court or authority.

place a tariff

This refers specifically to imposing a tax on imported or exported goods.

decree a forfeiture

This alternative suggests an official ruling that something must be surrendered as a penalty.

FAQs

How can I use "apply a fine" in a sentence?

You can use "apply a fine" to indicate the act of imposing a financial penalty, for example: "The regulatory body can "impose a fine" for non-compliance."

What is another way to say "apply a fine"?

Alternatives to "apply a fine" include "levy a charge", "impose a penalty", or "issue a fine". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "apply a fine" and "impose a fine"?

"Apply a fine" and "impose a fine" are very similar. "Apply" suggests the practical action of putting the fine into effect, while "impose" emphasizes the authority or decision to do so. In most cases, they are interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "applied a fine" or "apply a fine"?

Both "applied a fine" and "apply a fine" are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Apply a fine" is used in the present or future tense (e.g., "They will apply a fine"), while "applied a fine" is used in the past tense (e.g., "They applied a fine yesterday").