immunity from penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immunity from penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to protection from punishment or consequences for certain actions. Example: "The whistleblower was granted immunity from penalty in exchange for providing crucial information about the company's illegal activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A person close to the commission said that the rise in the number of new cartel investigations in recent years may be partly attributable to a change in the commission's rules, allowing it to offer immunity from penalties to a cartel participant that blows the whistle on the collusion.

The New York Times

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is close to signing legislation that would give sexual assault victims who come forward immunity from penalties related to campus alcohol policy.

Huffington Post

Continuum says it believes that some larger hospital systems have been able to negotiate immunity from the penalty.

The New York Times - Health

Cavendish Elithorn, the OFT executive director, said: "Under the OFT's leniency policy Cirrus (and its parent companies Careline UK Monitoring Limited and Peverel Building Technologies Limited) benefits from immunity from financial penalties".

The Guardian - Business

The Court of Appeals relied upon § 303(c) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 333(c), which extended immunity from the penalties provided by § 303(a) to a person who could establish a guaranty 'signed by, and containing the name and address of, the person residing in the United States from whom he received in good faith the article.

Harvard University

In giving companies that work with the government immunity from these penalties, H.R. 6304, and Barack Obama who voted for it, just took away the only reason stopping AT&T, Verizon, and others from helping the government use extra-judicial wiretaps.

TechCrunch

Peverel notified the OFT, and in doing so automatically obtained immunity from any financial penalties the OFT might have otherwise imposed.

The Guardian - Money

That means immunity from prosecution or reduced penalties and fines might not be available.

The New York Times

Both goals were from penalty kicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Baines equalises from penalty spot.

BBC

If he secure legal immunity from prosecution, the possible impairment of his good name is a penalty which it is reasonable he should be compelled to pay for the common good.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal documents, specify whether the "immunity from penalty" extends to civil, criminal, or administrative penalties.

Common error

Avoid using "immunity from penalty" when the intention is to convey that actions are entirely above the law, rather than specifically protected from certain penalties. Impunity suggests a broader, often negative, context of unaccountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immunity from penalty" functions as a noun phrase describing a state of being protected from specific punishments or sanctions. Ludwig AI shows that this protection can be granted in various legal and regulatory contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immunity from penalty" refers to protection from specific punishments or sanctions, often granted in legal or regulatory contexts. While grammatically correct and usable, Ludwig AI shows that it appears relatively infrequently. When using the phrase, clarity and precision are key, especially in legal or formal settings. Consider alternatives like "exemption from sanction" or "protection from punishment" depending on the context. The phrase is predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, indicating a formal and professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exemption from sanction

Replaces "penalty" with "sanction", suggesting a more formal or official context.

protection from punishment

Uses more common and direct language instead of "immunity" and "penalty".

freedom from reprisal

Emphasizes protection from retaliation or revenge.

exoneration from consequence

A more formal and legalistic alternative.

safe harbor provision

Implies a specific legal or regulatory framework offering protection.

dispensation from fine

Focuses specifically on exemption from monetary penalties.

reprieve from punishment

Suggests a temporary suspension of a penalty.

amnesty from penalties

A general pardon offered to a group of people.

waiver of liability

Focuses on exemption from legal responsibility.

pardon from consequence

A formal act of clemency releasing someone from punishment

FAQs

How does "immunity from penalty" differ from "immunity from prosecution"?

"Immunity from penalty" generally refers to protection from specific punishments or sanctions, while "immunity from prosecution" means protection from being charged with a crime in the first place. The former doesn't necessarily prevent legal action, but limits the consequences.

What are some situations where "immunity from penalty" might be granted?

"Immunity from penalty" is often granted to whistleblowers who report illegal activities, or to witnesses who provide crucial testimony in legal cases. It may also be part of a plea bargain or settlement agreement.

Is "immunity from penalty" absolute?

No, "immunity from penalty" is usually conditional and can be revoked if the terms of the agreement are violated, such as by providing false information or engaging in further misconduct. It's not a blanket protection against all possible consequences.

What's a less formal way to say "immunity from penalty"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "exemption from punishment", "protection from consequences", or simply "no penalty".