blanket penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blanket penalties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to penalties that are applied uniformly to a group or category without consideration for individual circumstances. Example: "The new policy introduced blanket penalties for all late submissions, regardless of the reasons behind the delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It thus seems odd for governments to impose blanket penalties on utilities for obeying government-imposed laws and regulations.JONATHAN LESSERWilliston,VermontCar poolSIR--You are right to draw attention to the protectionist response of Europe's governments to the massive over-capacity of the car industry (May 10th).

The Economist

Regardless of what you think of universal welfare entitlement, the critical problem for these proposals, like many of the government's ill-fated schemes (just think of the DNA database and sex-offender registration), is that they impose blanket penalties on people without taking into account individual circumstances.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since the retirement of the late Justice Harry A. Blackmun in 1994, no member of the court has taken a position of blanket opposition to the death penalty.

The New York Times

In many cases these collateral consequences -- blanket legal prohibitions and extra-judicial penalties -- are more severe than the initial criminal sentence that provoked them and grossly disproportionate to the charged offense.

Huffington Post

This blanket ban was begun in 2006, and the penalty for violation of the lease is eviction.

The New York Times

The position in Javid's letter signals a shift in the UK government's policy towards the death penalty, which was considered to be one of "blanket opposition".

The Guardian

Carla Lazzareschi's blanket character assassination of insurance salesmen in her "Money Talk" column "Harsh Penalties Lurk Behind 2-Tier Annuities" (Jan . 6 was disappointing.

Los Angeles Times

He added that the Supreme Court should have set conditions for imposing the death penalty for the crime, "but it basically had a blanket prohibition, and I disagree with the decision".

The New York Times

Governor Ryan, a conservative Republican who voted for the death penalty as a legislator, has said repeatedly that he is considering a blanket commutation, which would reduce death sentences to life in prison.

The New York Times

By similar logic, it's possible that the blanket broadcasting of the McVeigh execution may prove the beginning of the end for the death penalty.

The New York Times

xiii. 4 Instead of the modern blanket a sagum, or military cloak, was used, whence the operation was called sagatio. 5 The penalty for extortion was expulsion from the senate; see Jul. xliii.1.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blanket penalties", ensure it's clear what group or category the penalties are being applied to, and consider if the lack of individual consideration is a key aspect of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "blanket penalties" when describing situations where individual circumstances should be considered. The phrase implies a lack of differentiation, which might not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blanket penalties" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates it is a correct and usable phrase for describing penalties applied uniformly. It describes the kind of penalties being assigned.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blanket penalties" describes penalties applied uniformly without considering individual circumstances. While grammatically correct, its usage should be carefully considered, especially in contexts requiring nuanced judgment. As shown by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Be sure to use alternative phrasing if individual circumstances are paramount to the scenario you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indiscriminate penalties

Stresses the lack of discrimination or individual assessment in applying the penalties.

uniform sanctions

Emphasizes the consistency in the application of sanctions.

standardized sanctions

Like "uniform sanctions" this emphasizes the consistent and standardized application of sanctions.

sweeping penalties

Suggests a broad and extensive application of penalties.

across-the-board punishments

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the punishments being applied.

universal penalties

Emphasizes that the penalties apply to everyone without exception.

general sanctions

Focuses on the generality of the sanctions, rather than the lack of individual consideration.

flat penalties

Implies a fixed and unvarying penalty structure.

standard penalties

Highlights that the penalties are the norm and applied routinely.

comprehensive penalties

Indicates the penalties cover a wide range of infractions.

FAQs

What does "blanket penalties" mean?

The term "blanket penalties" refers to penalties that are applied uniformly across a group or category, without taking individual circumstances into account. This implies a lack of differentiation in punishment.

When is it appropriate to use the term "blanket penalties"?

It is appropriate when the penalties are indeed applied uniformly and without consideration for individual circumstances. However, ensure that this lack of individual consideration is a relevant aspect of what you're describing.

Are there alternatives to saying "blanket penalties"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "uniform penalties", "general sanctions", or "across-the-board punishments".

Is "blanket penalties" a negative term?

It can be perceived negatively because it often implies a lack of fairness or consideration for individual circumstances. However, it is not inherently negative; it simply describes a particular approach to penalties.