reduced sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduced sentence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in legal contexts or discussions about grammar where a sentence has been shortened or simplified. For example: "The judge issued a reduced sentence after considering the defendant's cooperation." Alternative expressions include "shortened sentence" and "condensed sentence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

By Sunday evening police had worked out a reduced sentence.

The Guardian

Victims and relatives of the Khmer Rouge have expressed outrage by the reduced sentence.

The Guardian

She has formally applied to President Barack Obama for a pardon or reduced sentence.

The Guardian

Several Enron victims wrote letters to the court protesting Mr. Skilling's proposed reduced sentence.

The New York Times

Dr. Benhamou, 51, is "cooperating in hope of receiving a reduced sentence," prosecutors said.

The New York Times

Najibullah Zazi and Zarein Ahmedzay cooperated with the government in the hopes of getting a reduced sentence.

Independent

He pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Mr. Fama in hopes of getting a reduced sentence.

The New York Times

He has pleaded guilty and cut a deal with prosecutors in the hope of securing a reduced sentence.

The New York Times

Reduced sentence for Bosch.

Los Angeles Times

Having pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, he is expecting a reduced sentence.

Vice

He testified against Chapo in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, specify the reason for the reduction (e.g. "for good behavior" or "in exchange for testimony") to provide necessary context.

Common error

Do not use "reduced sentence" when you actually mean that the legal charges were lowered. A "reduced sentence" refers to a decrease in the punishment for the same crime, whereas "reduced charges" implies the defendant was convicted of a less serious offense entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduced sentence" functions as a noun phrase where "reduced" is a past participle acting as an adjective modifying the noun "sentence". In most contexts observed in Ludwig, it serves as the direct object of a verb (e.g. "received a "reduced sentence"") or the object of a preposition (e.g. "in exchange for a "reduced sentence"").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduced sentence" is a highly standard and linguistically correct term primarily used in the legal and journalistic fields. According to Ludwig AI, it appears with high frequency in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it can occasionally refer to linguistic simplification in scientific papers, its most prevalent use is to describe a decrease in criminal punishment, often as a result of cooperation or plea bargaining. It is a versatile and precise term that should be used when the focus is on the formal lessening of a judicial term rather than a change in the conviction itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commuted sentence

Refers specifically to a sentence that has been legally changed to a less severe one by a high official

shorter term

Focuses on the duration of the imprisonment rather than the judicial process

sentence reduction

Uses a noun-noun structure to describe the process rather than the result

lesser sentence

A more general term often used when comparing two potential outcomes

mitigated punishment

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the lessening of a penalty

lighter sentence

A more idiomatic or colloquial way to describe a reduced penalty

decreased penalty

Focuses on the financial or punitive aspect rather than just the time served

lowered sentence

A common synonym that emphasizes the downward movement of the term

curtailed imprisonment

A sophisticated alternative focusing on the restriction of liberty

condensed sentence

Used more in linguistic contexts to describe a shortened grammatical structure

FAQs

What is the difference between "reduced sentence" and "commuted sentence"?

While both involve a decrease in punishment, a "reduced sentence" is a general term for any shortening of a term, whereas a "commuted sentence" specifically refers to a reduction granted by a head of state or governor through clemency.

How do I use "reduced sentence" in a formal report?

You can use it in phrases like "The defendant was granted a "reduced sentence" in return for his cooperation with the authorities".

Can "reduced sentence" be used in grammar?

Yes, in linguistics, a "reduced sentence" refers to a clause that has been shortened by removing words while maintaining meaning, often called a "reduced clause".

Is "shorter sentence" a better alternative?

Not necessarily. "shorter sentence" is more descriptive of the length, while "reduced sentence" implies a formal process of lessening an original or expected punishment.