passing a sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing a sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context when a judge formally declares the punishment for a convicted individual. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the judge proceeded to passing a sentence on the defendant, determining the appropriate punishment for the crime committed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Passing a sentence of life imprisonment, Judge Michael Topolski described his actions as: "Not a loss of control, but a loss of temper, and an act of calculated, jealous revenge on an innocent woman whose life you had made a fearful misery".

Independent

Before passing a sentence of 14 years, the judge condemned the behaviour of the Claimant's counsel, Edward Kenealy, who was subsequently disbarred because of his conduct.

Wikipedia

Ultimately, the judge deferred from passing a sentence, placing Matthews on a good behaviour bond for five years for causing grievous bodily harm and reckless bodily harm.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But I was getting so addled that I couldn't pass a sentence.

The New York Times - Arts

"I must pass a sentence which meets the justice of the case," he added.

The Guardian

The results reflect the limited sentencing powers of the magistrates courts, which cannot pass a sentence of more than six months for an individual offence.

The Guardian

The CPS noted that its guidelines said a defendant's guilty plea should be accepted only if prosecutors thought the court could pass a sentence matching the seriousness of the offending.

Independent

Capstick told Kiffin that normally he would have passed a sentence of immediate imprisonment, but having heard tributes regarding her work on the estate he felt able to suspend it.

The Guardian

But for the first time since 1948, the amnesty was not accompanied by a pardon (extinguishing the offences themselves).For untried offences, says Mr Gennaro, "this means that it is necessary to hold the trial and at the end, in the event of a guilty verdict, pass a sentence that cannot be carried out".

The Economist

In 2008, the legislation was modified to give judges discretion to decide whether to pass a sentence of imprisonment for public protection, and to restrict IPPs to cases where the offender would merit a sentence of at least four years in prison if he were not receiving an IPP.

The Guardian

As if to match the gruesomeness of his confession -- which included raping, killing and dismembering his victims, then soaking their remains in acid before dumping them in the morgue's drains -- two weeks ago the court passed a sentence freighted with a horror of its own.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "passing a sentence" to clearly indicate the moment a judge announces the punishment.

Common error

Avoid using "passing a sentence" interchangeably with terms like "delivering a verdict" or "issuing a ruling". While related, "passing a sentence" specifically refers to the act of a judge declaring the punishment after a verdict has been reached.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing a sentence" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of a judge formally declaring a punishment in a court of law. Ludwig confirms that it is indeed a correct usage. Its primary function is to describe a specific legal procedure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing a sentence" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase predominantly used within legal and news contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig. It describes the act of a judge formally announcing a punishment. While similar phrases exist, such as "imposing a sentence" or "pronouncing judgment", it's important to understand the subtle differences in meaning to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imposing a sentence

Focuses on the act of enforcing or applying the sentence.

delivering a verdict

Refers to the announcement of the jury's decision, closely related to the sentencing phase.

pronouncing judgment

Emphasizes the formal declaration of the court's decision.

handing down a sentence

Suggests the act of officially issuing or announcing the sentence.

meting out punishment

Highlights the dispensing of justice or retribution.

decreeing a penalty

Focuses on the authoritative and formal nature of the sentencing.

issuing a ruling

Broader term relating to any court decision, including sentencing.

declaring the sentence

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the formal declaration.

administering justice

Focuses on the broader act of applying legal principles, including sentencing.

rendering a decision

Similar to issuing a ruling, but may apply to different contexts.

FAQs

What does "passing a sentence" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "passing a sentence" refers to the act of a judge formally declaring the punishment that a convicted defendant will receive.

What can I say instead of "passing a sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "imposing a sentence", "handing down a sentence", or "pronouncing judgment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "deliver a sentence" instead of "passing a sentence"?

While "deliver a sentence" is understandable, "passing a sentence" is the more traditional and widely accepted phrasing in legal writing. "Delivering a sentence" is a less common but acceptable alternative.

What's the difference between "passing a sentence" and "delivering a verdict"?

"Delivering a verdict" refers to the jury's decision on guilt or innocence, while "passing a sentence" is the judge's subsequent determination of the punishment if the defendant is found guilty.