should be penalised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be penalised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing consequences or punishments for certain actions or behaviors that are deemed inappropriate or unacceptable. Example: "Anyone who violates the rules should be penalised to maintain order and fairness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Certainly, drunk-drivers should be penalised severely.

The Economist

No one should be penalised for disagreeing with the Government".

Independent

"But the bad cops should be penalised like regular people".

The Guardian - Film

In a similar vein I do not think that football team GB should be penalised for not playing Ryan Giggs.

The Guardian - Sport

I do hope so; on the face of it, it seems unreasonable that you should be penalised in this way.

The Guardian - Money

What is absurd is that Kushner should be penalised at all for speaking out on the subject of modern Israel.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But existing Northern Rock customers who opted for such mortgages should not be penalised and should be offered alternative products when they come to the end of their deal".

The Guardian - Money

The report argues that the region's "poor, uneducated and vulnerable" should not be penalised for taking drugs when governments and law enforcement agencies should be using their funds and legal powers to stop the traffickers and their accomplices.

The Guardian

While the supply of the most dangerous substances should remain banned, users caught with a small quantity of any drug should not be penalised, it said.

BBC

It asks: why should Bosnia be penalised by hypocrites in the EU?"The summit on 10 October in Brussels should be the last of its kind.

The Economist

You shouldn't be penalised for that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be penalised", clearly state the specific actions or behaviors that warrant the penalty to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Companies that fail to comply with environmental regulations should be penalised."

Common error

Avoid using "should be penalised" without specifying the nature of the penalty. Instead of saying "Mistakes should be penalised", be specific: "Mistakes resulting in financial losses should be penalised with a reduction in bonus."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be penalised" functions primarily as a modal passive construction. It expresses an opinion or recommendation that a particular action warrants a negative consequence. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage across various contexts, indicating a recommended or expected punitive measure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be penalised" is a commonly used phrase to express the opinion that certain actions deserve negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly state what specific actions warrant the penalty and what that penalty should entail. Alternatives such as "ought to be sanctioned" or "needs to be punished" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid vagueness in specifying what "should be penalised" to ensure clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be sanctioned

Changes the modal verb from "should" to "ought to", implying a moral obligation or duty.

needs to be punished

Replaces "penalised" with "punished", indicating a broader range of possible consequences.

deserves to be fined

Replaces "penalised" with "fined", specifying a monetary penalty.

must be reprimanded

Substitutes "penalised" with "reprimanded", focusing on a formal expression of disapproval.

should face consequences

Replaces "penalised" with a more general term about effects of the actions.

should incur a penalty

Focuses on the act of incurring a penalty, which could be financial or otherwise.

warrants disciplinary action

Replaces the whole phrase with a more formal term related to rules and regulations.

is subject to penalties

Replaces "penalised" with a noun phrase that indicates the possibility of penalties.

is liable to be sanctioned

Indicates legal responsibility and potential penalties.

must be held accountable

Shifts the focus to responsibility and being held to account for actions.

FAQs

How can I use "should be penalised" in a sentence?

Use "should be penalised" to express that a specific action or inaction warrants a negative consequence. For example, "Drunk drivers "should be penalised" severely to deter others from driving under the influence".

What are some alternatives to "should be penalised"?

Alternatives include "ought to be sanctioned", "needs to be punished", or "must be reprimanded", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should be penalised" or "should be punished"?

Both "should be penalised" and "should be punished" are grammatically correct. "Should be penalised" often implies a more formal or regulated context, whereas "should be punished" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "should be penalised" and "should be fined"?

"Should be penalised" is a broader term encompassing various forms of penalties, while "should be fined" specifically refers to monetary penalties. For example, a parking violation should be fined, but academic dishonesty "should be penalised" with suspension.