apply sanctions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply sanctions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a governing body or organization imposes penalties or restrictions on a country, organization, or individual as a form of enforcement or punishment. Example: "The United Nations decided to apply sanctions against the country in response to its aggressive actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will have powers to investigate newspapers and apply sanctions.

Independent

Loth to apply sanctions, China props up Mr Kim's regime.

The Economist

Iraq, its second-largest trade partner after the EU, says it will not apply sanctions.

The Economist

"We do believe that the advisors apply sanctions in the way that they're meant to do".

Independent

But the administration's latest push would name and apply sanctions to an array of companies.

The New York Times

Uefa has said it can only apply sanctions for events which take place inside the stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

It would have the authority to apply sanctions, disallow claims and take money back from MPs.

The Guardian

Ofqual, the examinations regulator, is still considering whether to apply sanctions to OCR following an investigation.

The Guardian

And if he makes the wrong choice, the United States and others will be ready to apply sanctions".

The New York Times

The G20 has made clear it stands ready to apply sanctions against countries that do not meet these international standards".

The Guardian - Business

If the companies did not pay more attention to Russian government requests for data "we will need to apply sanctions", he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations, clarify which entity is applying the sanctions and on whom. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "apply sanctions" interchangeably with general diplomatic pressure or negotiations. Sanctions are a specific tool with defined consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply sanctions" functions as a verb phrase where "apply" is the verb indicating the action of imposing, and "sanctions" is the noun representing the penalties or restrictions being imposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apply sanctions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the act of imposing penalties or restrictions, typically by a governing body or organization. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is suitable for use in a variety of contexts, primarily within news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify the entity imposing the sanctions and the target to ensure clarity. While alternatives like "impose restrictions" or "enforce penalties" exist, "apply sanctions" remains a direct and widely understood expression. Avoid using it loosely in place of general diplomatic pressure to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enforce penalties

This alternative emphasizes the act of making sure that punishments are carried out, highlighting the enforcement aspect of sanctions.

take punitive measures

This alternative highlights the act of taking actions intended to punish or penalize, similar in intent to "apply sanctions".

impose restrictions

This alternative focuses on the act of setting limits or constraints, differing slightly in its broader application beyond formal penalties.

place under embargo

This option directly relates to trade sanctions and limitations, differing in specific wording while retaining core meaning.

establish constraints

This alternative highlights the act of setting limits or boundaries, focusing on the restrictive aspect of sanctions.

levy embargoes

This alternative refers specifically to trade-related sanctions, thus narrowing the scope compared to "apply sanctions".

decree interdictions

This alternative suggests a formal prohibition or ban, highlighting the authoritative nature of imposing sanctions.

bring to bear pressure

This alternative focuses on the exertion of influence or coercion, encompassing a broader range of tactics than just sanctions.

administer deterrents

This alternative emphasizes the use of sanctions as a way to discourage unwanted behavior, focusing on their preventative function.

exact retribution

This alternative highlights the retaliatory aspect of applying sanctions, implying a stronger sense of vengeance.

FAQs

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

You can use "apply sanctions" to describe the act of imposing penalties or restrictions, such as, "The UN decided to "apply sanctions" against the country after repeated violations of international law."

What are some alternatives to "apply sanctions"?

Alternatives include "impose restrictions", "enforce penalties", or "take punitive measures" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "enforce sanctions" instead of "apply sanctions"?

Yes, "enforce sanctions" is a valid alternative. While "apply" refers to the act of putting sanctions into effect, "enforce" emphasizes making sure they are followed.

What's the difference between "apply sanctions" and "consider sanctions"?

"Apply sanctions" means to actually implement the penalties. "Consider sanctions" means to think about or discuss whether to implement them but not necessarily taking action.