penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "penalties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to financial (or sometimes other) consequences of a violation of a law or rule. For example: "If you violate the terms of your loan agreement, you will face serious penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sevilla scored three and, for the first time in history, two penalties were given against Madrid at home, but still the visitors lost by four.

The Guardian - Sport

It had everything else: more than 30 shots, one red card, three penalties, none of which were, three very particular celebrations, points proven, and 10 goals.

The Guardian - Sport

Hodgson and the Steve Borthwick returned to strengthen the side and, unsurprisingly, the game developed into an arm wrestle between the two packs with Hodgson and Stephen Myler exchanging a series of penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

"These increases are a heavy burden on our constituents," added Phil Gingrey of Georgia, who pressed Sebelius for more detail on how those facing financial hardship will avoid government penalties for failing to sign up.

The Guardian

The US soccer stars were still smarting from a loss on penalties to Japan in the 2011 Women's World Cup final when they joined the show.

The Guardian - Sport

We're in added time of extra time, but there's stiull time for Algeria to go out on penalties!

The Guardian - Sport

"They are a very good mauling side, so it's key that we keep our discipline and don't give away silly penalties so they can maul from the resulting lineouts.

The Guardian - Sport

Introduces on-the-spot fixed penalties for a range of minor offences, including being drunk and disorderly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Diplomats said that meant broader financial and economic penalties against Moscow than those imposed last July and which need to be renewed by this July.

The Guardian

Word got round during the interval that it was down to the exquisite torture of penalties, and when the announcement was broadcast to "return to your seats as this evening's performance is about to continue" there was a groan of dismay.

The Guardian

His team had been subjected to some intense pressure during the final moments and the game would have gone to penalties but for a brilliant goalline clearance from Joel Ward after Fernando Forestieri had curled a shot with the outside of his boot past Julián Speroni.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "penalties" to refer to established and codified consequences, not just general negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "penalties" to describe informal or uncodified consequences. Stick to terms like "consequences" or "repercussions" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The term "penalties" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the plural form of "penalty". According to Ludwig AI, it denotes consequences or punishments imposed for violations of rules or laws, as seen in various examples. The term also can describe a specific situation in sport.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penalties" serves as a plural noun referring to consequences for violating rules, laws, or agreements. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is widely used across different contexts, notably in news, business, and sports. The appropriate use of "penalties" involves considering the context to ensure clear communication, differentiating it from similar terms like "sanctions" or "fines". Over all, "penalties" is well used in the English language and it's easy to find its proper uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sanctions

Focuses on formal restrictions or prohibitions as a consequence.

punishments

A broader term referring to any form of imposed suffering or consequence for wrongdoing.

fines

Specifically refers to monetary penalties.

forfeits

Implies a loss of something as a consequence of a rule violation.

charges

Refers to fees imposed as a consequence of breaking an agreement.

consequences

A more general term for the results or effects of an action, which may or may not be punitive.

repercussions

Suggests far-reaching and often negative effects resulting from an action.

disciplinary actions

Emphasizes the formal process of addressing misconduct.

legal liabilities

Focuses on the financial responsibilities arising from a legal wrongdoing.

adverse effects

Highlights the unwanted results caused by something.

FAQs

How are "penalties" different from "sanctions"?

"Penalties" generally refer to consequences for breaking rules or laws, while "sanctions" often involve economic or political measures imposed on entities like countries or organizations.

What are some common examples of "penalties" in sports?

Common examples include free kicks in soccer, "penalty shootouts" after a tie, and yardage losses in football. These are implemented when rules are violated during play.

In legal terms, what kind of actions can result in "penalties"?

Breaches of contract, violations of laws, and failure to comply with regulations can all result in legal "penalties". These could include fines, imprisonment, or other "legal liabilities".

When should I use "fines" instead of "penalties"?

Use "fines" when referring specifically to monetary "penalties". The term "penalties" is broader and can include non-monetary consequences as well. They are types of "monetary compensation" for inflicted damages.