sanction for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sanction for' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you are referring to an official punishment or penalty that has been imposed as a result of someone not following rules or regulations. For example: "The company has imposed a strict sanction for employees that do not arrive to work on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They seek a theological sanction for secular foreign policy choices".

The New York Times

"Whilst admitting the charge, Wilshere claimed the standard sanction for this offence was clearly excessive.

Independent

Their ritual authority is thus a sanction for their secular and domestic authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And should one individual's innocent mistake result in a sanction for an entire team?

The Guardian - Sport

Rohrabacher's strident words and actions provide implicit sanction for the C.F.F.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why, after all this time, did they want official sanction for their clearly committed, loving relationship?

The New York Times

"That seems to me to be a proportionate sanction for all that has occurred".

The Guardian - Sport

There should, of course, be no sanction for violating a gag-order agreement.

The New York Times

Permanent exclusion has always been the ultimate sanction for headteachers, subject to a final appeals process.

The Guardian

"Where illegal exclusions are identified and pursued, there is no meaningful sanction for schools," Atkinson said.

The Guardian

The Church's sanction for trial by ordeal was withdrawn in 1215, by order of the Fourth Lateran Council.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sanction for", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a penalty or an authorization, as the word can have opposite meanings. Clarity is key to avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sanction for" when you mean to impose restrictions or penalties against someone. "Sanction for" implies a reason for something to be permitted or approved, whereas "sanction against" clearly indicates a punitive measure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sanction for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating the reason or justification for an action or situation. It can denote either approval or a penalty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sanction for" is versatile, carrying a dual meaning of either approval or punishment, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its correct interpretation hinges heavily on context. While used across various registers, it is most prevalent in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. To avoid ambiguity, writers should be mindful of the surrounding words and consider alternative phrasing to ensure clear communication. For example, replace it with alternatives such as "penalty for", "punishment for", "authorization for" or "approval for" when appropriate. Failing to clearly express the intended meaning can lead to misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

penalty for

Replaces "sanction" with "penalty", emphasizing the punitive aspect.

punishment for

Substitutes "sanction" with "punishment", highlighting the consequence of wrongdoing.

authorization for

Uses "authorization" instead of "sanction", focusing on the permission aspect.

approval for

Employs "approval" to convey a positive endorsement or permission.

permission for

Replaces "sanction" with "permission", highlighting the act of allowing something.

official endorsement of

This is a more formal substitution, emphasizing the official aspect of approval.

imposition for

Focuses on the act of enforcing or applying a rule or penalty.

legal authorization for

Highlights the legal aspect of granting permission or approval.

justification for

Shifts the focus to the reasons or rationale behind an action or decision.

legitimization of

Emphasizes making something acceptable or lawful.

FAQs

How is "sanction for" used in a sentence?

The phrase "sanction for" can indicate either approval or punishment, depending on the context. For example, "The church provided a theological "sanction for" the king's actions" (approval) or "The school imposed a "sanction for" bullying" (punishment).

What is the difference between "sanction for" and "sanction against"?

"Sanction for" typically implies approval or permission for something, while "sanction against" indicates a penalty or restrictive measure directed towards someone or something.

What can I say instead of "sanction for" when referring to punishment?

If you mean punishment, you can use alternatives like "penalty for", "punishment for", or "fine for" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "sanction for" when referring to approval?

When referring to approval, you can use alternatives like "authorization for", "approval for", or "permission for" depending on the context.