punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'punishment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can generally use the word when talking about something negative that is used to teach someone a lesson or to stop them from doing something wrong. For example, "The parents gave the child a punishment for not following their rule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A review of 88 studies investigating the effects of corporal punishment concluded that although punishing children physically often leads to immediate compliance with parental demands, this "good behaviour" was rarely maintained in the long term as children failed to internalise moral norms and social rules.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last November the governor of Oregon, John Kitzhaber, put a moratorium on all executions and in April Connecticut became the fifth state in as many years to abandon capital punishment altogether.

The Guardian

National revulsion and popular demand for punishment are dangerous things.

The Guardian - Opinion

Figures including the Yekaterinburg mayor, Yevgeny Roizman, have criticised the punishment given to the Novorossiysk women and Facebook users have expressed their support for the women by posting photographs of locals swimming, sunbathing and drinking alcohol on the beach next to the monument.

The Guardian

Maddened by his entirely deserved punishment, Rijkaard was enveloped in red mist and, as he jogged past Völler to take up his position for Andy Brehme's free-kick, he spat in the German's carefully coiffured mullet.

The Guardian - Sport

His attorney, Anders Folk, argued that since the IDs weren't used criminally, Novak should receive a lesser punishment.

The Guardian

While the navy's actions received no punishment, this strongly contrasts with the Australian government's aggressive crackdown on the boats of our Indonesian neighbours and its ongoing effects on their families, who suffer punitive circumstances.

The Guardian - Opinion

The backlash was led by Michael Howard, whose 1993 slogan "prison works" marked a tougher attitude towards crime and punishment that continued through Labour's years in power.

The Guardian

Lee says he wants more rehabilitation and less punishment.

The Guardian

The party will also expect to increase its overall Dáil representation as it hopes to harvest votes from disgruntled Fianna Fáil supporters, who are going to abandon the Soldiers of Destiny in their droves as punishment for Brian Cowen's mishandling of Ireland's fiscal woes.

The Guardian

Where hours are offered or taken away on the basis of reward or punishment, workers find themselves unable to exercise even their basic rights or access entitlements such as holiday and sick pay.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical matters, use "punishment" to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the type and severity of the "punishment" to ensure the message is accurately conveyed.

Common error

While "punishment" is grammatically correct, overuse in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or harsh. Consider using softer terms like "consequences" or "discipline" when discussing minor misdeeds or playful interactions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "punishment" is as a noun. It refers to the act of penalizing someone for wrongdoing, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "punishment" is a noun frequently used to describe the infliction of a penalty for wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. While it conveys retribution or consequences, it's advisable to use softer terms in informal conversations. Related phrases include "penalty", "retribution", and "consequences". When writing, ensure clarity and specificity about the type of "punishment", and avoid overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

penalty

Focuses on the specific sanction imposed for a wrongdoing.

retribution

Highlights the aspect of just repayment or revenge for an offense.

consequences

Emphasizes the results or effects of an action, which may be negative.

disciplinary action

Refers to formal measures taken to correct or penalize behavior.

sanction

Implies an official approval or disapproval, often involving a penalty.

chastisement

Suggests a verbal reprimand or mild form of punishment.

penalization

Similar to penalty, but can also refer to disadvantages or burdens.

correction

Focuses on the act of improving or rectifying an error or fault.

reprisal

Implies a retaliatory action, often in response to an injury or offense.

justice

Highlights fairness and moral rightness, often involving punishment for wrongdoing.

FAQs

How to use "punishment" in a sentence?

The word "punishment" typically refers to the infliction of a penalty as retribution for an offense. For example, "The judge determined the appropriate "penalty" for the crime."

What can I say instead of "punishment"?

You can use alternatives like ""penalty"", "retribution", or "consequences" depending on the context.

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

"Punishment" often implies a negative consequence for wrongdoing, while "discipline" can encompass both rewards and punishments to guide behavior. Discipline aims to teach and correct, whereas punishment primarily aims to penalize.

When is it appropriate to use the term "capital punishment"?

"Capital punishment" refers specifically to the death penalty. It's appropriate to use this term when discussing legal and ethical debates surrounding the death penalty as a form of retribution.