it penalises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it penalises" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a rule, law, or policy that imposes a penalty or punishment for certain actions or behaviors. Example: "The new policy states that it penalises any form of cheating during examinations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The Union states: This is a Kafka-esque situation in which the department denies any targets as it penalises its own staff for not meeting these targets The PCS says that in one region individual job centres were given colour ratings of red (bad) or green (good) depending on whether they had met targets to sanction job seekers, incapacity benefit claimants, and recipients of income support.

The Guardian

This does not penalise the government, it penalises the people".

Independent

It penalises those who cannot afford to be penalised.

Vice

But that's not because it penalises "full-time mothers".

The Guardian - Opinion

It penalises female doctors for choosing to have families.

The Guardian

From a cost perspective, it penalises the exam boards who mess up most.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But it's inherently discriminatory (it necessarily penalises students from certain socio-economic backgrounds) and – therefore – has no place in any university that claims to prioritise academic excellence.

The Guardian

The account pays either 0.25% or 0.5% interest, depending on when it was opened – but it arguably penalises people who need to take money out, with no interest paid in any month that a withdrawal is made.

The Guardian - Money

It is also concerned it "unfairly penalises" schools which have more pupils who are entitled to free school meals.

BBC

"So it's not like it prevents the guys from making birdies, but it still penalises you if you don't hit good shots and I think that's testament to the PGA of America and obviously to [chief championships officer] Kerry Haigh who sets the golf course up.

The Guardian - Sport

It always penalises young people from poorer backgrounds.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it penalises", clearly state what action or behavior is being penalised to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The new law penalises companies that do not comply with environmental regulations."

Common error

Avoid using "it penalises" when the consequence is merely a disadvantage or inconvenience. The phrase implies a formal penalty or punishment, not just a negative outcome. For example, instead of saying "The early deadline penalises those who procrastinate", consider "The early deadline disadvantages those who procrastinate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it penalises" functions as a verb phrase, where "it" acts as the subject and "penalises" as the verb. It describes the action of imposing a penalty or disadvantage. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, where various policies or actions result in negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it penalises" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something imposes a penalty or disadvantage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it carries a neutral to professional tone, often employed to critique policies or actions. While alternatives like ""it punishes"" or "it disadvantages" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. Remember to use it when referring to a formal penalty or punishment and to clearly state what is being penalised to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it punishes

This alternative carries a stronger connotation of formal punishment or retribution.

it disadvantages

Focuses on the act of placing someone or something at a disadvantage.

it puts at a disadvantage

Similar to 'it disadvantages' but with slightly more emphasis on the resulting state.

it places a burden on

Implies an imposition or hardship as a result of the action.

it exacts a toll on

Suggests a damaging effect over time.

it levies a cost on

Highlights the financial or resource-related burden.

it creates a hardship for

Emphasizes the difficulty or suffering caused.

it has negative repercussions for

More formal, emphasizing the broad negative outcomes.

it works to the detriment of

Highlights the damaging consequences.

it comes at a cost to

Focuses on what is sacrificed or lost as a consequence.

FAQs

What does "it penalises" mean?

The phrase "it penalises" means that something imposes a penalty, punishment, or disadvantage on someone or something as a consequence for certain actions or conditions. It implies a negative consequence as a result of a specific rule, law, or policy.

How to use "it penalises" in a sentence?

Use "it penalises" to describe how a specific action or policy results in a negative consequence for those affected. For example, "The new tax law "it punishes" small businesses by increasing their tax burden."

Which is correct, "it penalises" or "it penalizes"?

"It penalises" is the British English spelling, while "it penalizes" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but you should choose the spelling that aligns with the style and audience of your writing.

What can I say instead of "it penalises"?

You can use alternatives like ""it punishes"", "it disadvantages", or "it creates a hardship for" depending on the context.