fixed punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

"fixed punishment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a punishment or penalty that is predetermined and unmovable. For example, "The judge gave the defendant a fixed punishment of two years in prison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Accordingly, the design enabled us to study behaviour in response to the fixed punishment contingencies, revealing the basic regularities of behaviour when facing a punishment or its possibility in the PGGs.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the sentencing, in March 2008, the judge said the gun crimes carried fixed punishments in Virginia, so his sentence for the weapons charge came to a hundred and eighteen years.

The New Yorker

They claim to show Isis militants carrying out "hudud", the system of fixed punishments for what the group's courts regard as serious crimes.

Independent

While some crimes, such as premeditated murder, carry fixed punishments under Saudi Arabia's interpretation of the Islamic law, or Shariah, drug-related offences are considered "ta'zir", meaning neither the crime nor the punishment is defined in Islam.

The Guardian

Scottish Premier League clubs have voted at Hampden not to introduce fixed punishments for clubs reforming as new companies known as 'newcos'newcos

BBC

Criminal law is governed by Sharia and comprises three categories: hudud (fixed Quranic punishments for specific crimes), Qisas (eye-for-an-eye retaliatory punishments), and Tazir, a general category.

Wikipedia

The instructions that the jury was told to reread said that "you may fix the punishment of the defendant at death" if the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt at least one of two aggravating circumstances: that the defendant would continue to be a serious threat to society, or that the crime was "outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman".

The New York Times

A CA punishment design allows for higher experimental control over punishment expectations, with a fixed rule for the punishment of free riding.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

The cost of punishment was fixed, regardless of the number of players punished, meaning that it was not more costly to punish typical, relative to atypical, behaviour.

Biology Letters

For the unmeant attacking users, the punishment is fixed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In 1976, in a case called Woodson v. North Carolina, the United States Supreme Court reasoned that "[a] process that accords no significance to relevant facets of the character and record of the individual offender … excludes from consideration in fixing the ultimate punishment of death the possibility of compassionate or mitigating factors stemming from the diverse frailties of humankind".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or policy matters, use "fixed punishment" to clearly convey that a penalty is not discretionary but is set in advance.

Common error

Avoid using "fixed punishment" when the penalty is subject to judicial discretion or mitigating circumstances. It implies an inflexibility that might not exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fixed punishment" functions as a noun phrase, where "fixed" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "punishment". It describes a predetermined and unchangeable penalty for an offense. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fixed punishment" refers to a predetermined and unchangeable penalty, often found in legal or policy contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, science, and formal business settings. While it effectively conveys the idea of inflexibility in penalties, it's crucial to understand its scope and avoid using it when judicial discretion is involved. Alternatives like "predetermined penalty" or "mandatory sentence" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Understanding the nuances ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predetermined penalty

Focuses on the pre-established nature of the penalty.

set penalty

Emphasizes that the penalty is already established and not subject to change.

predetermined sanction

Replaces "punishment" with "sanction" and emphasizes its pre-planned nature.

specified penalty

Indicates a penalty that has been explicitly defined.

mandatory sentence

Highlights the legally required aspect of the sentence.

prescribed punishment

Highlights the formal or legal specification of the punishment.

established sanction

Emphasizes the already existing and accepted nature of the punishment.

definite sentence

Focuses on the certainty and lack of ambiguity of the sentence.

minimum sentence

Specifies the lowest possible punishment that can be applied.

standard punishment

Implies a typical or usual punishment for a particular offense.

FAQs

How is a "fixed punishment" different from a discretionary one?

A "fixed punishment" is predetermined and not subject to a judge's discretion, while a discretionary punishment allows the judge to consider factors and impose a variable sentence.

When is it appropriate to use the term "fixed punishment"?

Use "fixed punishment" when discussing laws or regulations that mandate a specific penalty for a particular offense, such as mandatory minimum sentences.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "fixed punishment"?

Alternatives include "predetermined penalty", "set penalty", or "mandatory sentence", depending on the specific context.

Is "fixed punishment" always considered fair?

The fairness of a "fixed punishment" is often debated, as it doesn't allow for consideration of individual circumstances or mitigating factors, which some argue can lead to unjust outcomes.