penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "penalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to punishment or consequences for breaking rules or laws, often in legal, sports, or academic settings. Example: "The player received a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Law

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The EU executive in Brussels said on Wednesday that moves to reinstate the death penalty could incur curbs on Hungary's EU rights and entitlements.

The Guardian

"Er... the referee missed some key decisions... er... we should definitely have been awarded a penalty... we were definitely the better side," he told me.

The Guardian - Books

Their resistance was even more admirable against Argentina, with Mora again making a couple of excellent stops before being beaten by a first-half penalty from Daniel Passarella.

The Guardian - Sport

The sister of Troy Davis, the man whose execution a year ago amid substantial evidence that he was innocent sparked protests across the US and the world, has vowed to keep on fighting until the death penalty is ended "one state at a time".

The Guardian

Before he died he told Kimberly and other family members "that he wanted us to continue the fight to clear his name and end the death penalty", she said.

The Guardian

Fellaini trotted on after 76 minutes and it soon became apparent he might need selective hearing – but then Blackett sent a long ball into the penalty area.

The Guardian - Sport

It is at around 90 seconds into the clip that Speroni grimaces, the commentator declaring "and I'm not quite sure what he's doing" as the goalkeeper dawdles at a back-pass, fails to trick Kevin Campbell and ends up conceding a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Jackson Irvine gave the visitors the lead with an 11th-minute header before Nadir Ciftci's penalty nine minutes later restored parity.

The Guardian - Sport

"There are lots of ways to hit a penalty: with power, off the post, with a chip," wrote Alessandro Vocalelli.

The Guardian - Sport

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

If your objective is to take the death penalty off the books, arousing Indonesian hostility is not the way to go".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports, be specific about the type of "penalty" given (e.g., a free kick, a time penalty) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume "penalty" always refers to a legal or sporting context. It can also apply to financial agreements or other situations where rules are in place. Always clarify the context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "penalty" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a punishment or consequence for violating a rule, law, or agreement. It can denote legal sentences, sports infractions, or financial forfeits, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "penalty" is a very common noun used to describe a punishment or consequence for breaking rules or laws. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across contexts such as sports, law, and finance. While "penalty" is generally neutral, the specific context dictates the register, ranging from professional in legal settings to more casual in sports reporting. Common synonyms include "punishment", "fine", and "sanction", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using "penalty", ensure clarity by specifying the type and context, avoiding ambiguity. The high frequency of "penalty" in news and media underscores its relevance in current affairs and public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

punishment

Replaces "penalty" with a general term for consequences of wrongdoing.

sanction

Implies a formal or legal consequence.

fine

Suggests a monetary penalty.

forfeit

Indicates the loss of something as a consequence.

punitive measure

Highlights the intent to punish or deter.

disciplinary action

Refers to formal measures taken in response to misconduct.

legal sentence

Specifically refers to a punishment imposed by a court.

negative repercussions

Highlights the broad, often long-term, impact of an action.

adverse consequence

Focuses on the negative outcome resulting from an action.

detriment

Emphasizes the harm or loss incurred.

FAQs

How is "penalty" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "penalty" refers to a legal sentence or punishment for committing a crime. For instance, the death "death penalty" is a severe legal consequence.

What are common sports-related penalties?

In sports, a "penalty" is a punishment for violating rules, such as a "penalty kick" in soccer or a time penalty in racing.

Which word can replace "penalty" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using "sanction", "fine", or "forfeit" as alternatives to "penalty", depending on the specific context. Each term has a nuance that may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "penalty" and "punishment"?

"Penalty" often implies a specific rule violation with a defined consequence, while "punishment" is a broader term for any consequence inflicted for wrongdoing. For instance, a parking ticket is a "penalty", while imprisonment is a "punishment".