minor fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small or insignificant monetary penalty imposed for a violation or infraction. Example: "After receiving a parking ticket, I was relieved to find out it was just a minor fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Instead, the league sent him a letter containing a much more common, minor fine for equipment violations.

The New York Times - Sports

If gross negligence and a breach affecting millions, including children, provokes only a minor fine and warning like this — two years after the fact, by the way — what hope do we have that the FTC will act as an effective deterrent for the subtler abuses and far richer companies that net neutrality protected people against?

TechCrunch

That'd be for a minor fine, of course, like a parking ticket.

Huffington Post

The DOJ caught Wachovia doing just that, and the bank is getting off with a minor fine that won't even make a dent in it's second-quarter profits.

Huffington Post

The interceptor would lose maneuverability as it climbed out of the atmosphere and its aerodynamic surfaces became less effective, so it should be directed onto the target as rapidly as possible, leaving only minor fine tuning later in the engagement.

Wikipedia

And so we are left with countless tales of lives ruined people living paycheck to paycheck who cannot afford a minor fine, and so face ballooning penalties, increasing amounts owed, a suspended license, jail time, and being fired from their jobs or unable to find work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Their child might be exhibiting a minor fine-motor delay at a play group, she added, "and the parents understand that as the children get involved in the admissions process that there is not as much tolerance for a range of abilities as there once was".

The New York Times

The very minor fines reflect the fact that the courts are taking climate change seriously".

The Guardian

Because the centers were closed for administrative reasons, the heads of the associations risk only minor fines.

The New York Times

Next, employers who break the law should face proper punishment, not minor fines that hardly make a dent in their profits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, while filming cover shots, he denied having anything to do with the smoking, leaking vehicle as ten coppers pushed it off the road and another couple arrested the driver and the production manager (who had to pay minor fines).

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory matters, using "minor fine" can accurately convey the scale of the penalty, differentiating it from more severe punishments. Ensure the context clarifies what infraction the "minor fine" is associated with.

Common error

Avoid using "minor fine" when a more significant penalty is actually involved. Misrepresenting the scale of a fine can mislead readers and undermine the seriousness of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor fine" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "fine". As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a penalty of small or limited financial impact. It's commonly used to describe the severity of a punishment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minor fine" refers to a small or insignificant monetary penalty. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage in English. While not extremely frequent, its appearance across news, scientific and wiki sources underscores its versatility. Related phrases include "small penalty" or "light fine". When employing this phrase, ensure the context adequately clarifies the specific infraction or violation that resulted in the issuance of the "minor fine". Accurate representation of fine's magnitude prevents confusion or misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty", offering a broader term for punishment. Similarity is high due to the shared meaning of a small consequence.

small penalty

Uses "small" instead of "minor", providing a direct synonym. Maintains a high degree of semantic similarity.

negligible fine

Emphasizes the insignificance of the fine, suggesting it is almost not worth considering.

nominal fine

Replaces "minor" with "nominal", suggesting the fine is very small or symbolic. Offers a more formal tone.

light fine

Employs "light" as a substitute for "minor", conveying the idea of a less severe financial penalty.

modest fine

Substitutes "minor" with "modest", indicating a limited or moderate amount. Similar in meaning and usage.

trifling fine

Replaces "minor" with "trifling," highlighting the insignificance and unimportance of the fine.

petty fine

Replaces "minor" with "petty", implying the fine is insignificant or trivial. Carries a slightly more negative connotation.

small charge

Uses "charge" instead of "fine", referring to a monetary imposition. Slightly less specific but still related.

reduced penalty

Focuses on the action of reducing a penalty, rather than describing the penalty itself. Implies a prior, larger penalty existed.

FAQs

What is an example of when a "minor fine" might be issued?

A "minor fine" is often issued for offenses such as parking violations, "traffic violations", or "minor equipment violations". These are typically low-level infractions that don't warrant more serious penalties.

What are some synonyms for "minor fine"?

Synonyms for "minor fine" include "slight penalty", "small penalty", "light fine", or "nominal fine". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "minor fine" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a small financial penalty. Its clarity and straightforwardness make it suitable for legal, business, or academic contexts.

What's the difference between a "minor fine" and a "major fine"?

A "minor fine" refers to a small, often insignificant monetary penalty, while a "major fine" indicates a substantial and significant financial penalty. The terms differ greatly in the severity of the punishment implied.