pecuniary penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pecuniary penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or financial contexts to refer to a monetary fine or punishment imposed for a violation of law or regulation. Example: "The company was subjected to a pecuniary penalty for failing to comply with environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Around a third of offenders also received a punitive pecuniary penalty.

Columbia University

A typical offender in Hong Kong received a ban, a short custodial sentence, or a small pecuniary penalty.

Columbia University

Because of the profession's "extensive work flexibility and low pecuniary penalty to short hours, female pharmacists … take little time off during their careers even when they have children.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pecuniary penalties total up to $1.1m for companies and $220,000 for individuals.

The Guardian

In November, the federal court imposed pecuniary penalties of $10m each on ANZ and NAB for attempting to manipulate the bank bill swap rate.

The Guardian

In a press release, the ACCC has stated that it is seeking, "declarations, injunctions, pecuniary penalties, disclosure orders, adverse publicity orders, non-party consumer redress, a compliance program order and costs".

The Guardian - Tech

Withdrawing before retirement age is seldom a good idea, as it typically comes with steep pecuniary penalties that sabotage financial futures.

Forbes

The ACCC sought the imposition of injunctions and pecuniary penalties by the court.

Wikipedia

The full bench declared that Baxter breached Sections 46 and 47 of the TPA, but left it to the ACCC to seek pecuniary penalties.

Wikipedia

"FIRREA contemplates civil monetary penalties as high as $1.1 million per violation or, if permitted by the court, based on pecuniary gain derived or pecuniary loss suffered as a result of the violation.

Los Angeles Times

Article 42 of the 1949 conventions states: "No general penalty, pecuniary or otherwise, shall be inflicted upon the population on account of the acts of individuals for which they cannot be regarded as jointly and severally responsible".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or financial documents, use "pecuniary penalty" to clearly denote a monetary fine or punishment imposed for a violation.

Common error

Avoid using "pecuniary penalty" interchangeably with terms like 'restitution' or 'damages'. "Pecuniary penalty" specifically refers to a punishment, whereas restitution is meant to compensate for losses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pecuniary penalty" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of punishment that involves a financial payment. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically found in legal or financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pecuniary penalty" is a formal term denoting a financial fine or punishment, commonly used in legal and financial contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's found across academic, news, and formal business settings. When writing, ensure its precise use, differentiating it from related concepts like restitution. For alternative expressions, consider "financial sanction" or "monetary fine", depending on the context's formality. Understanding these nuances can significantly improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pecuniary sanction

Direct synonym replacing "penalty" with "sanction", maintaining a formal tone.

financial sanction

Emphasizes the financial aspect of the penalty, similar to "pecuniary penalty".

monetary fine

Focuses on the fine as a sum of money, a common alternative.

financial penalty

Highlights the financial nature of the imposed punishment.

monetary penalty

Emphasizes the monetary aspect of the punishment.

economic sanction

Broader term encompassing economic repercussions as a form of punishment.

monetary levy

Focuses on the act of imposing a financial charge or tax.

financial disincentive

Focuses on discouraging behavior through financial means.

fine

Simple and direct alternative referring to a sum of money paid as punishment.

punitive damages

Refers to financial compensation awarded to the plaintiff exceeding simple compensation for losses.

FAQs

What does "pecuniary penalty" mean?

A "pecuniary penalty" is a monetary fine or financial punishment imposed for violating a law, regulation, or contract. It's a formal term often used in legal and financial contexts.

When should I use "pecuniary penalty" instead of "fine"?

"Pecuniary penalty" is more formal and precise than "fine". Use "pecuniary penalty" in legal documents or when emphasizing the financial aspect of the punishment. Otherwise, "fine" is suitable for general use.

What are some alternatives to "pecuniary penalty"?

Alternatives include "financial sanction", "monetary fine", or simply "fine" depending on the level of formality required.

How does a "pecuniary penalty" differ from other types of penalties?

While other penalties may involve imprisonment or community service, a "pecuniary penalty" specifically involves the payment of money as a form of punishment or deterrent.