impose penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose penalties" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used in a legal context, when someone has violated a law or agreement and is therefore subject to a penalty. Example sentence: The judge imposed penalties of six months' imprisonment and a $500 fine for the offense.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cannot impose penalties.

The New York Times

Why impose penalties on the institution when very few of the alleged perpetrators are still there?

The New York Times - Sports

But unlike the ICC, the WJC has no powers to order arrests or impose penalties.

Independent

"Ofcom is right to investigate and impose penalties if breaches have occured," said Whittingdale.

The Guardian

The finance ministry will then impose penalties, albeit modest ones, for any violations.

The Economist

The regulators said they would impose penalties, without giving the timing or amount.

The New York Times

Western regulators increasingly provide complex environmental incentives and impose penalties on power companies.

The New York Times

But the Liquor Authority can impose penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

The New York Times

It will remove the power of the courts to impose penalties on those responsible.

The Guardian

"The purpose of the law after all is not to impose penalties," the official said.

The New York Times

He recommended that the federal agency impose penalties on El Paso.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in the type of penalties being imposed; for example, if the context is legal, use legal terminology throughout.

Common error

Avoid using "impose penalties" when the authority to do so is unclear or does not exist. Ensure the entity imposing the penalties has the legal or contractual right to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose penalties" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of officially enforcing consequences for a violation or breach of a rule, law, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impose penalties" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, particularly in formal and professional contexts like law and business, to describe the act of enforcing consequences for violations. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "apply sanctions" or "levy fines" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure the authority imposing the penalties is clearly defined to avoid misattribution. Overall, understanding its correct usage enhances clarity and precision in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Apply sanctions

Focuses on the application of restrictive measures, often in international relations or economic contexts.

Levy fines

Specifically refers to imposing monetary penalties for offenses.

Enforce consequences

Highlights the act of ensuring that results of actions are applied effectively.

Administer punishments

Emphasizes the act of dispensing a penalty due to an offense committed.

Issue sanctions

Suggests the act of formally declaring measures of penalty.

Decree forfeitures

Implies a formal order to surrender assets or rights as a penalty.

Exact retribution

Highlights the act of taking revenge or inflicting punishment.

Render judgements

Highlights the act of formally deciding the outcome of a legal case.

Inflict charges

Emphasizes the act of causing someone to experience something unpleasant or difficult.

Order penalties

Suggests a directive to carry out penalties

FAQs

How is "impose penalties" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "impose penalties" is generally used to describe an entity or authority enforcing consequences for violations of rules, laws, or agreements. For example: "The court can "impose penalties" for non-compliance."

What are some alternatives to "impose penalties"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "apply sanctions", "levy fines", or "enforce consequences".

Is it appropriate to use "impose penalties" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "impose penalties" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, consider using less formal alternatives like "give punishments" or "set consequences".

What is the difference between "impose penalties" and "apply sanctions"?

"Impose penalties" generally refers to enforcing consequences for specific violations, while "apply sanctions" often refers to broader, restrictive measures, especially in international relations or economic contexts.