be sanctioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sanctioned" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is used when one wants to express a consequence or penalty for an action taken. For example: The company's failure to adhere to safety regulations will be sanctioned with a hefty fine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rumors should be sanctioned under the law.

The New York Times

Oligarchs must also be sanctioned.

The Washington Post

"These acts must be sanctioned most severely".

The New York Times

"These events have to be sanctioned.

The New York Times - Sports

This must be revised for other changes to be sanctioned.

Independent

"I wanted them to be sanctioned," Mr. Ellis said.

The New York Times

There are certain people who shouldn't be sanctioned.

The Guardian

If positive tests come back, an athlete can be sanctioned.

The New York Times - Sports

Beitar is widely expected to be sanctioned by Uefa.

The Guardian - Sport

"Failure will be sanctioned," Mr. Bush said on Monday.

The New York Times

The player is confident the transfer will soon be sanctioned.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be sanctioned" when you want to emphasize that an action has received official approval or disapproval from a recognized authority. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the sanctioning and why.

Common error

Avoid using "be sanctioned" when you intend to describe the act of sanctioning. "The committee will sanction the policy" is active and direct, whereas "the policy will be sanctioned" is passive and emphasizes the policy's reception of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sanctioned" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is receiving the action of being either authorized or penalized. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be sanctioned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating either official approval or the imposition of penalties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in news, academic, and formal business contexts, lending it a neutral to formal register. When using "be sanctioned", ensure that the context clarifies whether authorization or penalty is intended. Alternatives such as ""be penalized"" or "be authorized" may provide more specific nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be penalized

Focuses specifically on the imposition of a penalty for wrongdoing.

be subject to penalties

More explicit about the potential for punitive measures.

be authorized

Emphasizes the granting of permission or approval by an authority.

be approved

Similar to "be authorized", but can also imply general acceptance.

be endorsed

Suggests strong support or recommendation by an authority.

be held accountable

Stresses the responsibility for one's actions and the ensuing consequences.

be ratified

Implies formal validation or confirmation, often in a legal context.

be disciplined

Implies a more structured or controlled form of punishment.

be reprimanded

Focuses on a formal expression of disapproval.

face consequences

Highlights the result of an action, without specifying the type of consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "be sanctioned" in a sentence?

The phrase "be sanctioned" is typically used in passive voice to indicate that something is either officially approved or penalized. For example, "The new trade agreement will "be sanctioned" by the parliament next week", or "Any violation of these rules will "be sanctioned" with a fine".

What does it mean for something to "be sanctioned"?

When something is said to "be sanctioned", it means it has either been officially approved or that penalties or coercive measures will be applied due to non-compliance. The specific meaning depends on the context.

What are some alternatives to saying "be sanctioned" when referring to penalties?

If you are referring to penalties, you can use alternatives like "be penalized", "face consequences", or "be subject to penalties".

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when talking about sanctions?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the focus of your sentence. Use the active voice (e.g., "The council will sanction the country") when you want to emphasize the entity imposing the sanctions. Use the passive voice ("The country will "be sanctioned"") when you want to emphasize the recipient or the act of being sanctioned.