is punishable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is punishable' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about a particular action or behaviour that is subject to some form of punishment. For example: "Drinking and driving in New York state is punishable by law".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Perfidy is punishable by success.

The New York Times

Aiding the enemy is punishable by death.

The New York Times

Espionage is punishable by death.

The New York Times

Persistent use is punishable by death.

The New York Times

A jaunty tune is punishable by flogging.

The New York Times

The crime is punishable by death.

The New York Times

Proselytizing is punishable by a prison sentence.

The New York Times

Blaspheming against Muhammad is punishable by death.

The Guardian

A false accusation of adultery is punishable by 80 lashes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Each count is punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment.

The New York Times

Membership in the Brotherhood is punishable by death in Syria.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is punishable", specify the punishing entity (e.g., "by law", "by the court", or "under company policy") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is punishable" without indicating the severity or type of punishment. For instance, instead of stating "theft is punishable", clarify with "theft is punishable by a fine" or "theft is punishable by imprisonment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is punishable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the attribute of a subject (an action or behavior) that it can be punished. Ludwig examples show its use in defining legal and ethical boundaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is punishable" is a predicate adjective phrase used to indicate that an action or behavior is subject to legal or regulatory penalties. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias and legal documentation. It is crucial to specify the punishing entity and the severity of punishment for clarity. Related phrases include "is liable" and "is subject to penalty", providing alternative ways to express legal or regulatory consequences. When employing "is punishable", consider the target audience and aim for precision in defining the consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is liable

Replaces "punishable" with a broader term indicating legal responsibility.

is subject to penalty

Specifies that a penalty will be applied, emphasizing the consequence.

carries a penalty of

Focuses on the specific penalty associated with an action.

entails a punishment

Highlights that a specific action results in a defined punishment.

is a criminal offense

Emphasizes the criminal nature of the act, rather than just the punishment.

is against the law

Simplifies the concept to a violation of legal standards.

is illicit

Indicates the act is not permitted or allowed.

is forbidden

Strongly suggests that an act is not allowed.

is proscribed

A more formal and technical way of saying forbidden.

is actionable

Indicates that legal action can be taken as a result of the action.

FAQs

How do I use "is punishable" in a sentence?

Use "is punishable" to indicate that an action or behavior can be penalized. For example, "Fraud "is punishable" by law".

What are some alternatives to "is punishable"?

Alternatives include "is liable", "is subject to penalty", or "carries a penalty of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "is punishable by" or "is punishable with"?

"Is punishable by" is generally the preferred construction when indicating the specific punishment (e.g., "is punishable by a fine"). "Is punishable with" is less common but can be used to describe the instrument of punishment (e.g., "is punishable with flogging").

What's the difference between "is punishable" and "is illegal"?

"Is illegal" means something is against the law. "Is punishable" means there are legal consequences for doing something. An action can be illegal but not necessarily punishable (though this is rare), and vice-versa, though actions "is punishable" are almost always illegal.