give detention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give detention" can be used in written English.
It is typically used to mean a punishment given to a student by a teacher for misbehavior. For example, "The teacher gave detention to the student for skipping class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I'm constantly coming across efforts being made to give detention without charge the Walt Disney treatment: the crushing weight of solitary confinement is painted as a non-issue; the soul-sapping nothingness of the claustrophobic, cold cell is portrayed as a mild inconvenience.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet, how many teachers do we know still give detention for work not done?

HuffPost

For petty offences, a company commander could have men fined or confined to barracks for fatigue duty A battalion Commanding Officer could give detention, order up to 28 days Field Punishment, or demote corporals to the ranks (officers and senior NCOs were dealt with by court martial other than for very trivial offences).

Wikipedia

If the teacher persists, or threatens to give detention, she then answers the question.

WikiHow

Be sure to give detention or extra homework to students that break the rules.

WikiHow

Give detention, and tons of extra homework for such bad behavior!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Do homework every night because some teachers lower grades or give detentions.

WikiHow

But Crittenton was never suspended or given detention, she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Children, they claimed, were being given detention for not clasping their hands when seated, or for burping accidentally.

The New Yorker

The boys said students who go to school without wearing the uniform are given detention or may even be sent home.

The New York Times

She did not look like a girl who had ever been given detention, or got drunk on snakebite, or taught herself to play bass guitar.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about school discipline, use "give detention" to clearly convey the act of assigning detention as a consequence for misbehavior.

Common error

Avoid using "give detention" in a way that implies the detention is being given to the misbehavior, rather than to the student. Be clear that the student is the recipient of the consequence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "give detention" is as a verb phrase where "give" acts as a transitive verb taking "detention" as its direct object. Ludwig examples show it is commonly used to describe the act of assigning punishment in a school setting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

33%

Opinion

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give detention" is a common way to describe the act of assigning detention as a form of punishment, primarily in school settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds it used in various contexts, including news, opinion pieces, and wikis. While the phrase itself is relatively straightforward, related phrases like "assign detention" or "impose detention" can add a slightly different nuance depending on the context. It's important to ensure clarity in writing to avoid ambiguity about who is receiving the detention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be given detention

Changes the voice to passive, placing emphasis on the student receiving the detention.

assign detention

Replaces the verb "give" with "assign", emphasizing the act of formally allocating detention.

impose detention

Suggests a formal or authoritative application of the punishment.

issue a detention

Uses "issue" to highlight the official or authoritative nature of the detention being given.

hand out detention

Replaces "give" with "hand out", suggesting a more casual or frequent dispensing of detentions.

administer detention

Uses a more formal verb, "administer", implying a structured and regulated process.

serve a detention

Shifts the focus to the student's experience of completing the detention, rather than the act of assigning it.

sentence to detention

Draws a parallel to legal sentencing, implying a more serious consequence.

receive detention

Highlights the recipient of the punishment, rather than the act of giving.

put in detention

A more informal way of saying that someone is assigned to detention.

FAQs

How is "assign detention" different from "give detention"?

While both phrases are similar, "assign detention" implies a more formal or official allocation of detention as a consequence, whereas "give detention" is more general.

What are some alternative ways to say "give detention"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "issue a detention", "hand out detention", or "impose detention".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing detention?

You can say either "the teacher gave detention" (active) or "detention was given" (passive). The active voice is usually more direct and clear.

What is the meaning of "give detention"?

The phrase "give detention" means to assign a punishment to a student, typically involving staying at school after hours as a consequence for misbehavior or breaking school rules.