scale of punishments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scale of punishments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the varying degrees or levels of penalties or consequences for certain actions or behaviors. Example: "The legal system must consider a fair scale of punishments to ensure justice is served appropriately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Other critics note that it is not feasible to establish a satisfactory scale of punishments for crimes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anyone who breaks customary law is subject to a sliding scale of punishments at the hands of the community, starting with fines and moving to public shaming and, finally, kasepekang.

The New York Times

Parsimony is a reason for lowering the scale of punishments from which one can determine what a wrongdoer deserves, again within any given jurisdiction.

SEP

These will include having an official at the stadium tasked to spot "acts of discrimination", creating a sliding scale of punishments from fines to playing games behind closed doors and the creation of "a concrete action plan" by all bodies describing how they will try to fight racism.

BBC

While the idea of a scale of punishments may suggest a certain linear simplicity, it is important to keep in mind that the severity of a punishment depends on at least two dimensions: the degree of harshness, and its duration or repetition (for corporal punishment).

SEP

A team or athletic department's graduation rates, and the number of times those rates fall below acceptable standards, should lead to a sliding scale of punishments -- including loss of television appearances, playoff and bowl participation -- imposed on either a sport or school basis.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not the scale of punishment I would have chosen, but one that left quite a lasting impression.

The New York Times

Because some jurisdictions — Sanford, Florida, allegedly among them — still treat crimes against blacks with less enforcement rigor than crimes against whites, the scale of punishment should be tilted against the racist perp.

The New York Times

The unit will develop what Mr. Bloomberg described as a "graduated scale of punishment" for students who violate rules, as well as ways to use after-school programs and other initiatives designed to reduce truancy and violence, run by community-based organizations and other city agencies.

The New York Times

This critique rests on the premise that there might be true proportional punishments that any actual punishment might exceed, no matter how parsimonious the scale of punishment on which it rests.

SEP

And it created graduated scales of punishment, allowing the law to distinguish between someone with a single joint and someone with a pound of marijuana.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or organizational penalties, use "scale of punishments" to imply a graduated system where consequences increase with the severity of the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "scale of punishments" when referring to a single, fixed penalty. This phrase implies a range of possible consequences, not a single outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scale of punishments" functions as a noun phrase often used as an object or complement. It describes a structured system that outlines varying degrees of penalties or consequences, as Ludwig examples demonstrate. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scale of punishments" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase, though relatively uncommon, used to describe a system of graduated penalties. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its neutrality. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a range of consequences increasing with the severity of offenses, rather than a single fixed penalty. Consider alternatives like "range of penalties" or "severity of sanctions" depending on the desired emphasis. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you're not referring to a single, fixed penalty, as it implies a varied system of penalties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

range of penalties

Focuses on the variety of possible penalties.

severity of sanctions

Emphasizes the strictness of the consequences.

gradation of consequences

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the consequences.

levels of punishment

Simple synonym referring to the different degrees of punishment.

spectrum of penalties

Emphasizes the breadth of possible penalties.

sliding scale of penalties

Implies the penalties can change according to circumstances.

system of sanctions

Focuses on the organized structure of sanctions.

hierarchy of punishments

Highlights the ranked order of the punishments.

schedule of penalties

Suggests a predefined list of penalties.

tariff of penalties

Implies a set rate or fee for different offenses.

FAQs

How to use "scale of punishments" in a sentence?

You can use "scale of punishments" to describe a system where penalties increase with the severity of the offense. For example: "The company implemented a strict "scale of punishments" for violating safety regulations."

What can I say instead of "scale of punishments"?

You can use alternatives like "range of penalties", "severity of sanctions", or "gradation of consequences" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scale of punishments" or "sliding scale of punishments"?

"Scale of punishments" refers to a general system, while "sliding scale of punishments" implies the penalties can change depending on specific circumstances. Both are correct, but have slightly different meanings.

What's the difference between "scale of punishments" and "system of sanctions"?

"Scale of punishments" focuses on the graduated nature of the penalties, while "system of sanctions" emphasizes the organized structure of the penalties. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.