massive fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massive fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large monetary penalty imposed for a violation or wrongdoing. Example: "The company faced a massive fine for violating environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Cohen can certainly afford the massive fine, despite his endless protestations.

The Guardian - Tech

After all, they can hardly afford a massive fine on top of everything else.

The Guardian - Sport

Ali Lamrabet was banned from practising his profession, and Aboubakr Jamai fled to escape a massive fine.

The Economist

The government is now in danger of a massive fine, which ultimately will come out of the pockets of taxpayers.

The Guardian

Defying a court order and suffering a massive fine to report the case, the paper established the vital principle that justice cannot take place in the dark.

The Guardian

But she's not as rich, so suggesting she pays a massive fine is a less applausey route for Blears to take.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He says that he is in favour of papers that misbehave having to pay massive fines.

The Guardian

Having tamed Turkey's largest media conglomerate, Dogan, with massive fines for alleged tax fraud, the government is now taking aim at other dissident voices.

The Economist

"Mr Redwood's action would either lead to massive fines from the European court of justice, or to Britain being obliged to quit the EU".

The Guardian

The 113-year-old Lacey Act sets out harsh penalties, including massive fines, and possible jail time for anyone who knowingly transports the species across the border.

The New York Times

There have been other massive fines for tax-dodging schemes: Credit Suisse was made to pay $2.6bn; UBS $780m, and Deutsche Bank $554m.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "massive fine", ensure the context supports the use of a strong adjective. It's best suited for situations where the fine is notably larger than typical penalties for similar offenses.

Common error

Avoid using "massive fine" when a simpler term like "large fine" or "substantial penalty" would suffice. Overusing strong adjectives can diminish their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive fine" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "massive" modifies the noun "fine". It is used to describe the size or scale of a penalty, typically in legal or regulatory contexts. The Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "massive fine" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significantly large monetary penalty. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is primarily used in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. While "massive" emphasizes the size and scale of the fine, it's crucial to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for truly substantial penalties. Alternatives such as "hefty penalty" or "substantial penalty" can be used in less dramatic contexts. Overuse of "massive fine" can diminish its impact, so choose your words carefully to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hefty penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty", and "massive" with "hefty", emphasizing the severity of the punishment.

substantial penalty

Uses "substantial" instead of "massive", focusing on the considerable amount of the fine.

large financial sanction

Substitutes "fine" with "financial sanction", providing a more formal tone.

significant monetary penalty

Emphasizes the monetary aspect and significance of the penalty.

enormous financial penalty

Uses "enormous" instead of "massive" to highlight the size of the penalty.

considerable levy

Replaces "fine" with "levy", implying a charge or tax imposed.

major financial penalty

Uses "major" to indicate the high importance and size of the penalty.

sizeable financial imposition

Replaces both words to highlight the size of financial burden.

punitive charge

Uses "punitive" to focus on the purpose of the fine: as a form of punishment.

steep monetary sanction

Uses "steep" to describe the large amount required.

FAQs

How can I use "massive fine" in a sentence?

You can use "massive fine" to describe a large monetary penalty imposed for a significant violation. For example, "The company faced a massive fine for violating environmental regulations".

What can I say instead of "massive fine"?

You can use alternatives like "hefty penalty", "substantial penalty", or "significant monetary penalty" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "massive fine" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate, but alternatives like "large financial sanction" or "significant monetary penalty" may sound more professional in some formal contexts.

What distinguishes "massive fine" from a regular fine?

The term "massive fine" implies that the fine is exceptionally large, far exceeding typical penalties for similar offenses. It emphasizes the severity and scale of the financial consequence.