levy a penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "levy a penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a fine or punishment is imposed for a violation or infraction. Example: "The regulatory body decided to levy a penalty on the company for failing to comply with safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In California, the Employment Development Department (EDD) can levy a penalty equal to 10percentt of the amount owed for unemployment and disability insurance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Levying a penalty on the enlarged group means the taxpayer would effectively pay twice for the same actions committed by the firm".

The New York Times

In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration levied a penalty against the company that could reach $105 million over its handling of multiple recalls affecting more than 11 million vehicles.

The New York Times

*Note from The Agenda: The Affordable Care Act levies a penalty on companies with more than 50 full-time employees if any of those employees receive a government subsidy to buy health insurance on the exchange.

The New York Times

Though the I.R.S. levies a penalty on late-filing taxpayers who owe the government money, there is no penalty for filing late when the taxpayer is owed a refund.

The New York Times - Tech

Not having foreseen this debacle and faced with a huge increase in the upfront cost of loans, with increased public expenditure, the coalition is considering levying a penalty on institutions that "unreasonably" charge the maximum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hansen, however, persuaded the stewards not to levy such a penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

To make sure account holders stay in touch, the agency levies a $10,000 penalty for failure to file a required 8938, and any underreported income will be subject to an additional 40 percent penalty.

The New York Times

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an American regulator, levied a $200 million penalty, the largest in the agency's history.

The New York Times

The trading commission levied a $200 million penalty, the largest in its history.

The New York Times

In 2004, the New York Fed levied a $70 million penalty against Citigroup over the bank's lending practices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "levy a penalty", ensure the context clearly indicates the authority or entity imposing the penalty and the reason for its imposition. This enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "lay" or "lay out" instead of "levy". "Levy" specifically means to impose or collect, typically a tax or penalty, whereas "lay" has different meanings related to placing or setting something down.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "levy a penalty" functions as a verb phrase where "levy" (the verb) takes "a penalty" (a noun phrase) as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "levy a penalty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes the formal imposition of a fine or punishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "impose a fine" or "administer a sanction" exist, "levy a penalty" carries a specific connotation of official action by an authority. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is levying the penalty and why to maintain precision and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impose a fine

Replaces "levy a penalty" with a more general term for imposing a financial punishment.

assess a charge

Focuses on evaluating and assigning a cost or fee as a consequence.

exact a toll

Implies extracting something, often a cost or consequence, from someone or something.

administer a sanction

Uses a more formal term for applying a punitive measure.

apply a tariff

Specifically refers to imposing a tax or duty, especially on imports or exports.

slap a fine on

Conveys a sense of quick and sometimes arbitrary imposition of a fine.

decree a punishment

Suggests a formal and authoritative declaration of a penalty.

inflict a forfeiture

Implies causing a loss or surrender of something as a penalty.

demand retribution

Focuses on seeking compensation or revenge for a wrongdoing.

enforce a forfeiture

Highlight the action of forcing the application of the penalty.

FAQs

What does it mean to "levy a penalty"?

To "levy a penalty" means to officially impose or enact a fine or punishment for a violation of a rule, law, or agreement.

How can I use "levy a penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "levy a penalty" in sentences such as: "The regulatory agency decided to levy a penalty on the company for environmental violations" or "The court may levy a penalty for non-compliance with the order".

What are some alternatives to "levy a penalty"?

Alternatives to "levy a penalty" include "impose a fine", "assess a charge", or "administer a sanction", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "levy a penalty" and "impose a penalty"?

While both phrases are similar, "levy a penalty" often implies a more formal or official action, typically by a governing body or authority. "Impose a penalty" is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts.