it penalizes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it penalizes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a rule, law, or policy that imposes a penalty or disadvantage on someone or something. Example: "The new policy states that if you miss a deadline, it penalizes you by reducing your score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mullainathan and Shafir call this the worst of both worlds: "it penalizes but fails to motivate," they write.

The New York Times

Better yet, why is this city structured so that it penalizes one of its most important resources, teachers?

The New York Times

The [way] the league is structured with its new CBA and how it penalizes teams -- you can't make moves," Jackson said.

Los Angeles Times

It penalizes the family farmer.

The New York Times

It penalizes companies for doing what they ought to do.

The New Yorker

It penalizes rooms with high ceilings, which require more lighting.

The New York Times

Visa and MasterCard oppose the policy because they say it penalizes card use.

The New York Times

It penalizes saving to pass on wealth, they said, and encourages excess consumption.

The New York Times

"I think the only teams it penalizes are the teams that advance".

The New York Times

(d) He called a tanning-salon tax "racist," because it penalizes white people.

The New Yorker

"It penalizes the analyst with respect to what he says and the impact of what he says," Mr. Goodale said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it penalizes", clearly specify what the subject is and what specific action or characteristic is being penalized to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "it penalizes", try "the policy penalizes late submissions with a grade reduction".

Common error

Avoid using "it penalizes" without specifying the subject and the criteria for the penalty. Vague statements such as "it penalizes innovation" lack the necessary context and can be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it penalizes" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular subject imposes a disadvantage or penalty. As supported by Ludwig, this expression is used across various contexts to denote negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it penalizes" is a versatile expression used to describe how a rule, system, or action imposes a disadvantage or penalty. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, where clarity and precision are important. When using "it penalizes", it's essential to specify the subject and the action being penalized to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "it sanctions", "it disadvantages", and "it punishes" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it sanctions

Replaces "penalizes" with a more formal term implying official disapproval and enforcement.

it disadvantages

Focuses on the negative impact or handicap caused by a specific action or rule.

it punishes

Emphasizes the imposition of a penalty as a form of retribution or discipline.

it exacts a toll

Suggests a cost or burden resulting from a particular situation or behavior.

it levies a penalty on

Implies a specific charge or fine is applied as a consequence.

it places at a disadvantage

Highlights the act of putting someone or something in an unfavorable position.

it creates a hardship for

Emphasizes the difficulty or suffering caused by the action in question.

it places a burden on

Suggests that something is made more difficult or onerous.

it comes at a cost to

Highlights what must be given up or sacrificed because of something.

it hinders

Emphasizes obstruction or impediment caused by it.

FAQs

How can I use "it penalizes" in a sentence?

Use "it penalizes" to describe a rule, law, or system that imposes a penalty or disadvantage. For example, "The new tax law "it penalizes" small businesses with high overhead costs".

What are some alternatives to "it penalizes"?

You can use alternatives like "it sanctions", "it disadvantages", or "it punishes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative implies a slightly different shade of meaning; choose the one that best fits your context.

Is it correct to say "it penalizes for"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's more common and clearer to say "it penalizes [something] with/by [penalty]". For example, "The system penalizes errors with a deduction of points" is clearer than "it penalizes for errors".

What's the difference between "it penalizes" and "it discourages"?

"It penalizes" implies a specific, often quantifiable, penalty. "It discourages" simply means something makes an action less appealing without necessarily imposing a direct penalty. For example, high prices discourage sales, while late fees penalize late payments.