impose sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

'impose sentence' can be used in written English.
For example, "The judge imposed a sentence of five years in prison." Here, the phrase is used to indicate the judge has determined a legal punishment for a convicted person.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He asked the judge to decline to impose sentence and to dismiss the indictment.

The New York Times

A13 Young Killer to Learn Sentence A Florida judge said he would impose sentence today on Nathaniel Brazill, 14, who faces 25 years to life for murdering his teacher.

The New York Times

While waiting for my judge to impose sentence, I prayed.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The judge, Leonard B. Sand, is scheduled to impose sentences on the four men on Oct. 18.

The New York Times

Summary tribunals would be held inside stadiums, with judges empowered to impose sentences on the spot.

The Guardian

And we impose sentences that have been, by and large, negotiated in advance without our involvement".

The New Yorker

For decades, judges had unquestioned power to impose sentences using their own discretion with little fear of appeal.

The New York Times

A draft anti-terrorism law threatens to impose sentences of death and life imprisonment for a sweeping array of infractions.

The Economist

A couple of weeks ago, for instance, a judge in Massachusetts said he found it "unendurable" to have to impose sentences that are "both unjust and racist".

The New York Times

Saudi judges have extensive scope to impose sentences according to their own interpretation of Sharia law without reference to any previous cases.

Independent

"Why would Congress want district courts to continue to impose sentences that were universally viewed as unfair and racially discriminatory?" the lawyer, Stephen E. Eberhardt, asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "impose sentence" to clearly communicate the judge's action of assigning a punishment. It's direct and unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "impose sentence" interchangeably with terms like "deliver judgment" or "render verdict". While related, "impose sentence" specifically refers to the act of assigning a penalty, not the overall legal decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose sentence" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, describing the action of a judge or court when assigning a legal punishment. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in legal reporting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impose sentence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a judge's action in assigning a legal punishment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used within the legal and journalistic contexts. While categorized as uncommon in frequency, it is most often found in news media, reflecting a neutral register. Related phrases include "pass sentence" and "hand down a sentence". Remember to use "impose sentence" specifically when discussing the act of assigning a penalty, and not as a general substitute for related terms like "render judgment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass sentence

This alternative uses "pass" instead of "impose", suggesting a more formal declaration of the sentence.

hand down a sentence

This alternative emphasizes the act of delivering or declaring the sentence by the judge.

deliver a sentence

Similar to "hand down a sentence", this option focuses on the act of verbally communicating the sentence.

pronounce sentence

This is a formal way of saying the judge will declare the official sentence.

administer a sentence

This alternative suggests a formal process of applying the sentence according to the law.

decree punishment

This version uses the word "decree", implying an authoritative and formal pronouncement of punishment.

mete out justice

This alternative is more general, referring to the act of dispensing justice, which includes sentencing.

render judgement

This is a broader term that refers to the overall decision of the court, not specifically the sentence.

issue a ruling

This phrase is more general than "impose sentence" and refers to any decision made by a court or judge.

determine the penalty

This alternative shifts the focus to determining the actual penalty, rather than the act of imposing it.

FAQs

How is "impose sentence" used in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "impose sentence" refers to the act by a judge where a legal punishment is formally assigned to someone convicted of a crime. For instance, a judge might "impose a sentence" of five years in prison.

What verbs can I use as alternatives to "impose" in the phrase "impose sentence"?

Alternatives to "impose" include "pass", "hand down", or "deliver". Each carries a slightly different nuance but remains semantically similar.

Is there a difference between "impose sentence" and "render judgment"?

"Impose sentence" specifically refers to the assigning of a punishment, whereas "render judgment" is a broader term referring to the court's overall decision. The judge will render judgment before /s/impose+sentence imposing sentence.

Can "impose sentence" be used in contexts other than criminal law?

While primarily used in criminal law, "impose sentence" is generally reserved for contexts where a formal penalty or consequence is being applied. It is less common in everyday conversation.