lenient agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lenient agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an agreement that is flexible or forgiving in its terms or conditions. Example: "The lenient agreement allowed both parties to make adjustments as needed without facing penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She revealed last February that most UK clients of HSBC's Swiss business who settled with the tax authorities did so under an extraordinarily lenient agreement.

The Guardian

The overwhelming majority of UK clients of HSBC Suisse who settled with the tax authorities were allowed to do so under an extraordinarily lenient agreement that levied penalties as low as 10% of the unpaid tax.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Since then, the two have drawn up an unusually lenient merger agreement.

The New York Times

Hence this week's remarkably lenient settlement agreement with most (but not all) of the company's legal foes in America.At one stage, Microsoft faced the prospect of being split in two as punishment for its behaviour.

The Economist

His lawyer, William C. Costopoulos, questioned the prosecution case, saying that the evidence against Mr. Robertson had come from six other defendants in the case who had been given lenient plea agreements.

The New York Times

Thanks also go to Dr. Els Severens for sharing the data of the lenient name agreements in Dutch, to Dr. Yael Cycowicz, Dr. Patrick Bonin, Dr. Myrna Schwartz and Dr. Qingfang Zhang for sharing their pictures.

Plosone

Five years after the financial crisis, many doubt whether prosecutors have taken business crime seriously enough, and some of the blame is laid on lenient deferred prosecution agreements.

The New York Times

[C3.] S.E.C. Disputes Sentence in Gemstar Executive's Case The Securities and Exchange Commission, in a rare disagreement with another government agency, told a federal judge that the Justice Department might have been too lenient in its plea agreement with Henry C. Yuen, the former chief executive of Gemstar-TV Guide International.

The New York Times

James Devitt, an attorney representing the slain mayor's mother and brother, William, in a civil suit against Lyvette Crespo, condemned the agreement as too lenient.

Los Angeles Times

In such cases, Mr. Ashcroft advocates deferred-prosecution agreements or other lenient approaches to corporate wrongdoing.

The New York Times

George Osborne has repeated his controversial claim that the UK's tax deal with Google is a "major success" despite a widespread backlash against the £130m agreement for being too lenient.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In negotiations, clearly define the scope of leniency within the "lenient agreement" to avoid future misunderstandings. Specify which aspects are flexible and under what conditions.

Common error

Avoid presenting an agreement as "lenient" if it lacks clear boundaries or safeguards. This can lead to exploitation or misinterpretation of the terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lenient agreement" functions as a noun phrase, where "lenient" modifies the noun "agreement". It describes a type of agreement characterized by its forgiving or flexible nature. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in describing agreements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lenient agreement" describes an agreement characterized by its flexibility and forgiving nature. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though rare in usage. The primary contexts are News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral register. If you need to convey similar ideas, consider alternatives like "flexible terms" or "accommodating arrangement". When using "lenient agreement", ensure the scope of leniency is well-defined to avoid future misunderstandings. In summary, while a useful term, "lenient agreement" should be employed with clarity and awareness of its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lenient terms

This alternative mirrors the original phrase, focusing solely on the flexibility of the terms themselves.

flexible terms

Emphasizes adaptability and ease of modification within the agreement.

favorable settlement

Highlights the advantageous outcome for one or more parties involved.

accommodating arrangement

Suggests a willingness to adjust to the needs of all parties.

forgiving accord

Implies a willingness to overlook minor infractions or shortcomings.

easy terms

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of strictness in the agreement's conditions.

generous deal

Highlights the advantageous nature of the agreement, suggesting abundant benefits.

relaxed contract

Suggests an absence of rigid rules and strict enforcement.

compassionate understanding

Focuses on empathy and consideration within the agreed terms.

easygoing pact

Emphasizes the relaxed and informal nature of the agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "lenient agreement" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company offered a "lenient agreement" to its suppliers, allowing for delayed payments during the economic downturn".

What is a good alternative to "lenient agreement"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "flexible terms", "accommodating arrangement", or "favorable settlement".

What does a "lenient agreement" imply?

A "lenient agreement" suggests terms that are not overly strict or punitive, offering some flexibility or forgiveness to the parties involved.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "lenient agreement"?

It's suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize the flexibility and understanding built into an agreement, such as in business negotiations, legal settlements, or even personal arrangements.