excessive fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive fine" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a penalty or charge that is considered too high or unreasonable. For example, "The court imposed an excessive fine on the defendant for a minor offense." Alternative expressions include "unreasonable penalty" and "heavy charge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His failure to do so has led not only to an excessive fine (more than $7.3 million) but also to the possibility of a federal ban on the playing of "Blurred Lines"—a potentiality that makes the stakes of this case clear.

The New Yorker

His failure to do so has led not only to an excessive fine (more than $7.3 million) but also to the possibility of a federal ban on the playing of "Blurred Lines" — a potentiality that makes the stakes of this case clear.

The New Yorker

In addition, in the Durance catchment, excessive fine sediment yield is still currently causing social (inundations), economic (silting of hydroelectric dams) and ecological damage (degradation of fish habitats).

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

"There are excessive fine print and aspects that make them more and more difficult to navigate," he says.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Second, defendants should not be subject to excessive fines just because they are rich.

The Economist

The government slapped Mr. Ivanishvili with what many considered excessive fines for campaign spending violations.

The New York Times

Detaining citizens arbitrarily, imposing excessive fines and harassing them because they want to exercise free speech is unacceptable.

The New York Times

The Eighth Amendment states that "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted".

The New York Times

The Eighth Amendment's text reads: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted".

Encyclopedia Britannica

That could make it easier to require that states, like the federal government, have unanimous jury verdicts in criminal trials, for example, or ban excessive fines.

The New York Times

The government changed its course later in the day and posted a phone number for any merchants who had faced arbitrary inspections or excessive fines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing against a "excessive fine", provide concrete data or comparisons to demonstrate its disproportionate nature relative to the offense or the defendant's ability to pay.

Common error

Avoid confusing "excessive fine" with "excess fine print". The former refers to a penalty that is too high, while the latter refers to conditions in a contract or agreement that are difficult to read and understand, often to the detriment of one party.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive fine" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a type of penalty that is considered unreasonably high or disproportionate. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is valid and understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excessive fine" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a financial penalty deemed unreasonably high. Ludwig confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and legal discussions. To ensure accurate usage, distinguish it from similar-sounding phrases like "excess fine print". When using the phrase, consider supporting your claim with evidence demonstrating the fine's disproportionate nature. For alternative wording, consider "unreasonable penalty" or "exorbitant charge". Overall, "excessive fine" effectively conveys the concept of an unfairly high financial penalty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonable penalty

Emphasizes the lack of justification or fairness in the fine.

exorbitant charge

Highlights the disproportionately high cost associated with the fine.

punitive sanction

Focuses on the disciplinary aspect and the severity of the fine.

stiff penalty

Indicates the harshness or severity of the fine.

harsh imposition

Highlights the severity and the act of enforcing the fine.

undue financial burden

Emphasizes the financial strain caused by the fine.

disproportionate levy

Highlights the imbalance between the fine and the offense.

oppressive fine

Focuses on the burdensome and unjust nature of the fine.

unconscionable surcharge

Implies that the fine is shockingly unfair or unethical.

outrageous assessment

Emphasizes the shocking or scandalous nature of the fine.

FAQs

What does "excessive fine" mean in legal terms?

In a legal context, "excessive fine" refers to a monetary penalty that is disproportionate to the offense for which it is imposed, potentially violating constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

How can I argue that a fine is "excessive"?

To argue that a fine is "excessive", you can demonstrate that it is significantly greater than similar penalties for comparable offenses, or that it imposes an undue financial hardship given your income and assets.

What are some alternatives to saying "excessive fine"?

You can use alternatives like "unreasonable penalty", "exorbitant charge", or "stiff penalty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a legal limit to how high a fine can be?

While there isn't a fixed numerical limit, the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits "excessive" fines. Courts determine whether a fine is "excessive" by considering factors like the severity of the crime, the defendant's financial resources, and the potential for deterrence.