imminent penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imminent penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a punishment or consequence is about to occur or is expected to happen very soon. Example: "Failure to comply with the regulations will result in an imminent penalty for the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

FINANCIAL TIMES R.B.S. Said to Consider Tapping Bonus Pool to Pay Fine  |  The Financial Times reports that the Royal Bank of Scotland "is considering recouping half of its imminent regulatory penalty for Libor abuses from the 2012 bonus pool of its investment bankers, as pressure mounts on the top two executives in the division to quit".

The New York Times

Their recommendation is binding on the judge, but execution is not imminent as death penalty cases are subject to automatic appeals.

The New York Times

Forlán, it's true, had struck the goalpost, but not until the 116th minute, with the dreaded penalty shootout imminent, did anyone score again.

The New York Times - Sports

A decision by the Justice Department on seeking the death penalty is imminent, and officials say Attorney General John Ashcroft is virtually certain to approve a request from local prosecutors to seek Mr. Moussaoui's execution.

The New York Times

Pompey's financial problems mean a 10-point penalty is imminent - which would leave Michael Appleton's side 21st in the Championship and above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

BBC

And as penalties seemed imminent, Blair Alston bagged the winner for Falkirk.

BBC

Protocol Six outlaws the death penalty in all cases apart from war and imminent threat of war.

BBC

As a result, Tuesday's ruling by the Texas court was seen as a sign that judges in the nation's leading death penalty state were taking guidance from the Supreme Court and putting off imminent executions.

The New York Times

Maryland now has five men on death row for murders going as far back as 1983, but no executions are imminent because a 2006 court decision threw out the regulations under which the death penalty is carried out.

Huffington Post

Ahern had been trying to ensure that he served an imminent ban before the start of the Flat turf season the following March, but his eventual penalty was technically imposed for bringing racing into disrepute.

The Guardian - Sport

The contrast in the demeanours of the two teams' penalty-takers was unmistakable and Moyes, who refused to take questions on the imminent £37m arrival of Juan Mata, admitted that his own players' confidence was shot-at.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about regulations or legal matters, use "imminent penalty" to convey a sense of urgency and certainty regarding the consequences of non-compliance. Avoid vagueness in these contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "imminent", meaning about to happen, with "eminent", meaning distinguished or respected. Using "eminent penalty" would be incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imminent penalty" functions as a noun phrase, where "imminent" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "penalty". Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imminent penalty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase signifying a penalty that is about to occur. Ludwig AI validates its usage. It is most commonly found in news, formal business, and academic contexts, conveying a sense of urgency and certainty. When using this phrase, be mindful of its formal tone and avoid confusing "imminent" with "eminent". Consider alternatives like "impending fine" or "forthcoming sanction" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fast-approaching penalty

Replaces "imminent" with the more descriptive "fast-approaching" to highlight the speed at which the penalty is nearing.

rapidly approaching penalty

Emphasizes the speed of the approaching penalty.

impending fine

Replaces "penalty" with "fine", focusing on a monetary punishment.

forthcoming sanction

Substitutes "imminent" with "forthcoming" and "penalty" with "sanction", indicating a formal punishment that is about to occur.

impending levy

Substitutes "penalty" with "levy", referring to a charge or tax that is about to be imposed.

approaching punishment

Replaces "imminent" with "approaching" and "penalty" with "punishment", emphasizing the nearness of the consequence.

near-term consequence

Uses "near-term" to describe the short time before the "consequence", rather than the legal or regulatory term "penalty".

looming repercussion

Employs "looming" and "repercussion" to create a more ominous tone, indicating a negative consequence is on the horizon.

threatened punishment

Focuses on the threatened nature of the penalty rather than its imminence.

pending forfeiture

Uses "pending" instead of "imminent" and "forfeiture" to describe a loss or surrender as a penalty.

FAQs

How can I use "imminent penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "imminent penalty" to describe a situation where a penalty is about to be enforced. For example, "The company faces an "imminent penalty" for violating environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to "imminent penalty"?

Some alternatives include "impending fine", "forthcoming sanction", or "approaching punishment", depending on the specific context.

Is "imminent penalty" a formal phrase?

Yes, "imminent penalty" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for legal, regulatory, or business contexts. It conveys a serious and immediate consequence.

What's the difference between "imminent penalty" and "potential penalty"?

"Imminent penalty" suggests that the penalty is highly likely to occur very soon, while "potential penalty" indicates that a penalty is possible but not necessarily certain or immediate.