ask for sanctions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for sanctions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts when requesting punitive measures or penalties against someone or something. Example: "The attorney decided to ask for sanctions against the opposing party for their failure to comply with court orders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

South Korea may hope to ask for sanctions exemptions to restart these joint projects.

BBC

South Korea had hoped to ask for sanctions exemptions from the US to take part in part in various projects, but Donald Trump has made it clear that will not be acceptable.

BBC

Rajoub expressed hopes that the international body could successfully mediate on the issue, but warned that, if it doesn't, the PFA "will have no other option but to ask the FIFA Congress to ask for sanctions against the Israeli Football Association," he said.

Vice

For example, some participants had to ask for sanctions to carry out programme activities and managers failed to give priority to the programme and had to be 'reminded' to ensure the basic conditions for the interventions.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ms. Hannaford asked for sanctions, but only against Orbach.

The New York Times

5.10pm BST EU asks for sanctions against US over Boeing "subsidies" Interesting development which surely has nothing to do with what just happened to Airbus-owner EADS and its plan to merge with BAE Systems.

The Guardian - Business

In Texas, a United States trustee has asked for sanctions against Barrett Burke Wilson Castle Daffin & Frappier, a Houston law firm that sues borrowers on behalf of the lenders, for providing inaccurate information to the court about mortgage payments made by homeowners who sought refuge in Chapter 13.

The New York Times

In asking for sanctions today, lead prosecutor David L. McGee called Mr. Bailey's behavior in this case "unethical, unprofessional". The matter came up at a hearing in which Mr. Duboc fired Mr. Bailey and replaced him with two lawyers, one of whom said the defendant had become concerned when learned how Mr. Bailey used the stock money.

The New York Times

In its motion, BP asked for sanctions against Halliburton, claiming that the company's cement slurry was "unstable".

BBC

"The motion is a disgrace, and the D.A. should be embarrassed, and I plan on asking for sanctions against the D.A.," Geragos said when the papers were filed.

Los Angeles Times

"The motion is a disgrace, and the D.A. should be embarrassed, and I plan on asking for sanctions against the D.A.," Geragos said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for sanctions", ensure the context clearly indicates who is requesting the sanctions and against whom or what they are being requested. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sanctions", which are penalties or restrictive measures, with "approvals", which are permissions or endorsements. Incorrect usage can completely reverse the intended meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for sanctions" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express a request for punitive measures or penalties. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for sanctions" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that requests penalties or restrictive measures, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "request sanctions", "call for sanctions", and "seek sanctions". When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is requesting the sanctions and against whom they are directed. A common error is confusing sanctions with approvals, which have opposite meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request sanctions

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "request", making it slightly more appropriate in professional or official contexts.

seek sanctions

This alternative emphasizes the active pursuit of sanctions, suggesting a determined effort to impose penalties.

call for sanctions

This alternative implies a public demand for sanctions, often used in political or media contexts.

demand sanctions

This alternative suggests a strong, often non-negotiable, insistence on the imposition of sanctions.

urge sanctions

This alternative implies a strong recommendation for sanctions, often used in diplomatic or advisory roles.

move for sanctions

This alternative is typically used in legal contexts, referring to a formal motion to request sanctions from a court or authority.

appeal for sanctions

This alternative highlights the act of making a formal and earnest request for sanctions, possibly in a dire situation.

petition for sanctions

This alternative suggests a formal written request to an authority for sanctions to be imposed.

press for sanctions

This alternative implies persistent and forceful advocacy for sanctions.

solicit sanctions

This alternative suggests seeking or requesting sanctions from a specific entity or group.

FAQs

What does "ask for sanctions" mean?

To "ask for sanctions" means to formally request that penalties or restrictive measures be imposed on a person, entity, or country, typically due to violations of laws, regulations, or agreements.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ask for sanctions"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts such as legal proceedings, diplomatic discussions, or official reports when a request for penalties or restrictive actions is being made.

What are some alternative ways to say "ask for sanctions"?

You can use alternatives like "request sanctions", "call for sanctions", or "seek sanctions" depending on the context.

How does "ask for sanctions" differ from "impose sanctions"?

"Ask for sanctions" is the act of requesting that penalties be put in place, while "impose sanctions" means to actually enact or implement those penalties. One is a request, the other is an action.