ask for punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is requesting or inviting consequences for their actions, often in a figurative or playful manner. Example: "After breaking the rules, he decided to ask for punishment, hoping it would teach him a lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(If you committed a misdeed, you had to ask for punishment. Then you were locked in a closet).

The New Yorker

A spokesperson for the Environment Directorate-General says the commission may ask for punishment for those countries, too; their cases don't all move at the same speed, he says.

Science Magazine

Prosecutors have said they would ask for punishment at the low end of the sentencing scale for the actress, possibly less than a year.

Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors have said they would ask for punishment at the low end of the sentencing scale for Felicity Huffman, possibly less than a year.

Los Angeles Times

We should not ask for punishment to be brought forward in this world or for early death.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But I am just asking for punishment of breaking the law".

The New York Times

The Tamil writer Yogiyar portrays an innocent Ahalya, who sleeps with the disguised Indra, overcome with guilt and asking for punishment.

Wikipedia

His administration has asked for punishment to be inflicted upon private citizens in the private sector for exercising their free speech rights.

Huffington Post

Attorney General John Ashcroft has ordered United States attorneys in New York and Connecticut to seek the death penalty for a dozen defendants in cases in which prosecutors had recommended against or did not ask for capital punishment, according to lawyers who follow the issue.

The New York Times

United could look to ask for the punishment to be halved by the FA.

BBC

"If sanctions are to be imposed in such circumstances then this has to be done in a balanced and consistent manner, and participants made aware of this fundamental change in approach". United could look to ask for the punishment to be halved by the FA.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "request a penalty" or "invite consequences" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for punishment" when the intention is to express outrage or denial of wrongdoing. The phrase suggests acceptance of guilt and a willingness to face consequences, so ensure your message aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for punishment" functions as a verb phrase. It typically involves a subject (explicit or implied) who is requesting or inviting a negative consequence. As seen in Ludwig examples, it often indicates accepting responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for punishment" is grammatically sound and used to express a request for consequences, often implying acceptance of responsibility. While not overly common, it appears in news, general writing, and scientific contexts. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Related phrases include "request punishment" and "invite consequences", each with slightly different connotations. When using the phrase, consider its implications of acceptance and willingness to face the repercussions of one's actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request punishment

Formal alternative, focusing on a direct request for consequences.

invite consequences

Emphasizes the action of drawing negative outcomes upon oneself.

seek retribution

Implies a pursuit of justice or revenge, but can be self-directed.

court disaster

Figurative, suggests behaving in a way that makes negative outcomes likely.

deserve penalty

Focuses on the justification for receiving a punishment rather than asking for it.

expect repercussions

Highlights the anticipation of negative consequences following an action.

face the music

Idiomatic, meaning to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

throw oneself on the mercy of the court

Legal term, implying a plea for leniency but acknowledging guilt.

own up to wrongdoing

Focuses on admitting fault and accepting responsibility.

accept one's fate

Implies a resignation to a negative outcome without necessarily requesting it.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for punishment" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for punishment" in sentences like: "After breaking the rules, he decided to ask for punishment, hoping it would teach him a lesson" or "The character in the story decided to ask for punishment to atone for their mistakes".

What does it mean to "ask for punishment"?

To "ask for punishment" means to request or invite consequences for one's actions, often implying acceptance of responsibility and a desire for atonement or learning.

Are there more formal alternatives to "ask for punishment"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "request punishment" or "invite consequences" in more formal contexts.

Is "ask for punishment" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ask for punishment" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It follows standard English sentence structure.