discipline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discipline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an area of knowledge or a system of behavior, rules, or order that is necessary for training or improvement. Example: Good discipline is essential to success in school.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's hard to think of a scandal that's more discordant with an image of focus and discipline than this one.

The Economist

"Under what circumstances would an employee face discipline for a violation of Uber's privacy policies?" He gave Uber 28 days to respond to his questions.

The Guardian - Tech

Further practical and philosophical advice will be given about the discipline, ethos, and challenges of writing and the literary industry.

The Guardian

In fact, we are at this stage because of the discipline of our people.

The Guardian

John Fund, a commentator for the conservative magazine National Review, described the speech as "meandering and often bizarre", and said that Palin "clearly lacks the discipline for a full-fledged campaign".

The Guardian

About Bear Stearns, for which JP Morgan predicted $33bn of potential exposure, a former JP Morgan executive was similarly proud in 2008: "we were very pleasantly surprised to see that it was a very well run, tight operation with good risk controls and a risk discipline that was very similar to our own," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the things Pooley enjoys about her discipline, she says, is that it allows athletes to be sociable even during events.

The Guardian - Sport

On the face of it this does not have a lot to do with the specialised mechanical discipline that is fast bowling, or indeed the career of Steven Finn, England's own talented, statistically prodigious man-of-the-moment-before-last, whose falling away from the front rank is one of the more puzzling base notes of a generally puzzling tour of Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

"They are a very good mauling side, so it's key that we keep our discipline and don't give away silly penalties so they can maul from the resulting lineouts.

The Guardian - Sport

The Germans approached the game with their usual phlegmatic sense of discipline and organisation, preferring Thomas Berthold to Wolfgang Rolff to give them extra width, pace and penetration on the right.

The Guardian - Sport

Self-education (or autodidacticism) requires the utmost discipline – plus curiosity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "discipline" in academic writing, be specific about the field or area of knowledge you're referring to (e.g., "literary discipline", "scientific discipline").

Common error

Avoid using "discipline" solely to mean punishment. While punishment can be a component of discipline, the term encompasses broader concepts like training, self-control, and adherence to rules. Make sure you're accurately reflecting the broader meaning of the word.

Linguistic Context

The word "discipline" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a field of study, a system of rules, or controlled behavior. It can also function as a verb, meaning to train or punish. Ludwig AI corroborates these functions through numerous examples, illustrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "discipline" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, encompassing controlled behavior, a field of study, and a system of rules. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, including news, sports, and lifestyle. While its register tends toward neutral to formal, its specific communicative purpose depends on the context, ranging from informing to instructing and persuading. While its frequently mistaken to mean only punishment, make sure to consider its bigger purpose and meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-control

Focuses specifically on the ability to regulate one's own behavior and emotions.

strict training

Emphasizes the rigor and intensity of the training process involved.

enforced order

Highlights the aspect of maintaining order through external rules and regulations.

behavioral regulation

Implies a systematic approach to managing and controlling behavior.

code of conduct

Refers to a set of rules and guidelines governing behavior in a specific context.

penalty system

Emphasizes the use of penalties to enforce compliance and maintain order.

area of study

Refers specifically to discipline as a branch of knowledge or learning.

field of knowledge

Similar to "area of study", highlighting the academic aspect of discipline.

organizational skills

Highlights a structured approach towards completing tasks or projects with proper methods.

methodical approach

Underlines the adherence to a process oriented structured to achieve a certain task.

FAQs

How can I use "discipline" in a sentence?

You can use "discipline" to refer to a controlled behavior, a field of study, or a system of rules. For example, "Maintaining discipline is crucial for success", or "Economics is a challenging discipline".

What are synonyms for "discipline" when referring to self-control?

When referring to self-control, you can use synonyms like "self-control", "restraint", or "self-regulation".

Which is correct, "discipline problems" or "disciplinary problems"?

"Disciplinary problems" typically refers to issues that require disciplinary action, whereas "discipline problems" could refer more broadly to a lack of discipline. The most appropriate choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "discipline" and "punishment"?

"Discipline" is a broader concept that includes training and guidance to improve behavior, while "punishment" is a specific consequence for wrongdoing. "Discipline" aims to teach, whereas punishment aims to correct.