formal sanction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal sanction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an official approval or penalty is being discussed, often in legal, academic, or organizational settings. Example: "The committee issued a formal sanction against the member for violating the code of conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

That earned Williams widespread condemnation but no formal sanction from golfing authorities.

The New York Times - Sports

But the former chancellor is very unlikely to face any formal sanction.

The New York Times

Its only formal sanction against individuals is to refer breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to the police.

Independent

Her "parole" to a band performing at the Savoy Ballroom was only formal sanction for what she found by her own extraordinary talent and luck.

The New York Times

He gave formal sanction to the army's murderous pacification campaigns in northern China and supported the use of chemical weapons there.

The New York Times - Books

Dominic gave his followers a rule of life based on that of St. Augustine and made his first settlement at Toulouse; on Dec. 22, 1216, Pope Honorius III gave formal sanction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There are no formal sanctions in Mexico or Italy but there are social or arbitrary sanctions.

The Guardian

For more serious or repeat offences, restorative justice could run alongside formal sanctions.

The Guardian

Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry and other candidates called for the United States to impose formal sanctions on Iran's central bank.

The New York Times

In contrast, in more fraught situations where unethical behavior is likely to be done deliberately, formal sanctions are more suitable.

Harvard Business Review

JPMorgan was also hit with two enforcement actions this week, the first formal sanctions from federal banking regulators over the bank's multibillion-dollar trading loss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formal sanction" when referring to an official penalty or approval given by an authority, ensuring the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the sanction.

Common error

Avoid using "formal sanction" when describing unofficial or social penalties, as this phrase specifically denotes an official and authorized action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal sanction" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to an official action taken by an authority as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formal sanction" is a noun phrase denoting an official penalty or approval, commonly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it is not as frequently used as some other phrases. When writing, remember that it implies an authorized action, differentiating it from informal penalties. Alternatives such as "official penalty" or "regulatory sanction" can be considered depending on the nuance you want to convey. Its usage is generally neutral but leans towards formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official penalty

Focuses specifically on the penal aspect, emphasizing the official nature of the punishment.

regulatory sanction

Focuses on sanctions imposed by regulatory bodies.

official authorization

Highlights the aspect of official approval or permission rather than punishment.

legal penalty

Emphasizes the legal basis of the sanction, suggesting it is enforced by law.

official reprimand

Implies a formal expression of disapproval or censure.

imposed penalty

Simply emphasizes the act of imposing a penalty, removing the need for another adjective.

authorized approval

Stresses the approval aspect given by an authority.

official censure

Highlights the expression of strong disapproval, differing from simple approval or penalty.

legislative approval

Highlights approval coming specifically from a legislative body.

state-approved penalty

Emphasizes that the penalty is authorized by the state.

FAQs

How is "formal sanction" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "formal sanction" is used to describe official penalties or approvals imposed by an authority. For example, "The company received a /s/regulatory+sanction from the government for violating environmental regulations".

What's the difference between "formal sanction" and /s/informal+penalty?

"Formal sanction" refers to an official action, often involving legal or regulatory consequences. An /s/informal+penalty is a social or unofficial consequence, such as disapproval or exclusion.

What are some alternatives to "formal sanction"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "official penalty", /s/legal+penalty or /s/regulatory+sanction. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "formal sanction"?

"Formal sanction" is most appropriately used in legal, academic, or organizational settings where an official approval or penalty is being discussed.