penance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "penance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious or moral context to refer to an act of self-punishment or remorse for wrongdoing. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he sought penance through community service and reflection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would not be penance for a rotten year in which MPs have been castigated over their expenses and the prime minister has been criticised for just about everything.

The Guardian

For six years Britain has arguably been at the mercy of a single figure, the historic low interest rates that have been in part the bank's penance, and probably all that stood between the nation and widespread social catastrophe.

The Guardian

Admittedly, it wouldn't be sufficient penance for their joint outing in Passenger 57.

The Guardian

Billed as a penance for his plagiarism of comic book writer Daniel Clowes, it borrowed heavily from the work of performance artist Marina Abramovic.

The Guardian - Film

After a period of penance, Mr Horie may find that now is a good time to start another new business.

The Economist

Likewise, David Willetts, the shadow secretary for work and pensions, will shortly be trekking out to various disadvantaged areas to meet poor people.But these Tory sojourns among the masses, unlike those of Henry V and Tony Blair, are also part of another well-established tradition, whereby disgraced leaders devote themselves to good causes or embark on pilgrimages in penance.

The Economist

Are workers doing penance for the time they spent in, say, the housing construction industry?

The Economist

Tynan never did convince British theatregoers that Brecht is anything more than an educative penance.

The Economist

Bankers had hoped that, after seven years of penance for their part in the financial crisis, the end of wrenching overhauls forced by fierce new regulations might be nigh.

The Economist

Banks are to kick in €2 billion a year through a "transaction tax" as penance for the economic crisis, but that may depend on securing international agreement.

The Economist

This week the church performed its biggest act of penance yet, paying $660m to settle claims of sexual abuse by more than 500 people in the archdiocese of Los Angeles.The large sum partly reflects Los Angeles's size and wealth, but it is mostly the result of a change in the law.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "penance" to describe a voluntary act of self-punishment or an assigned task to demonstrate remorse and correct wrongdoing. It's appropriate when discussing religious contexts, moral obligations, or seeking forgiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "penance" interchangeably with "penalty". "Penalty" refers to a legally imposed punishment, while "penance" signifies a voluntary or assigned act of atonement, often with a spiritual or moral dimension.

Linguistic Context

The word "penance" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a voluntary act of self-punishment or an assigned task to demonstrate remorse for a wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in both religious and secular contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penance" is a grammatically correct noun that describes a voluntary or assigned act of self-punishment or atonement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While often associated with religious contexts, it can also apply to secular situations where amends are made for wrongdoing. Related terms include "atonement" and "reparation". When using "penance", ensure it accurately reflects the intention to express remorse and seek forgiveness or reconciliation through corrective actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atonement

Focuses on making amends for a wrong, often with a sense of reconciliation.

reparation

Highlights the act of repairing damage or making amends for a wrong.

expiation

Emphasizes the cleansing or purging of guilt or sin.

redemption

Suggests being saved from sin or error, implying a positive transformation.

contrition

Focuses on sincere regret and remorse for one's sins or wrongdoings.

self-punishment

Directly implies inflicting punishment on oneself as a form of atonement.

self-mortification

Emphasizes the subduing of one's desires and passions as a form of penance.

recompense

Implies compensating for a loss or injury as a form of amends.

restitution

Focuses on restoring something lost or damaged to its rightful owner.

retribution

Highlights the act of inflicting punishment as a form of deserved consequence.

FAQs

How is "penance" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "penance" is used to describe an action taken to atone for wrongdoing, such as "He performed community service as "penance" for his crime" or "The priest assigned her a "penance" of reciting prayers".

What are some suitable alternatives to the word "penance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "atonement", "reparation", "expiation", or "redemption".

Is "penance" only used in a religious context?

While "penance" is often associated with religious practices, it can also be used in a secular context to describe actions taken to make amends for a mistake or wrongdoing, for example, a company might offer refunds as "penance" for poor service.

What is the difference between "penance" and "repentance"?

"Repentance" refers to the feeling of regret or remorse for one's actions, whereas "penance" is the action taken to demonstrate that regret and make amends. You can feel "repentance", and then perform "penance".