small penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

'small penalty' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to a penalty that is less than a normal, expected, or typical penalty. For example: "The company received a small penalty for breaking the rules, compared to what they could have faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He said the "relatively small" penalty made it "unnecessary" to go to court.

The New York Times

If they think the premiums are too high, they will pay the small penalty and wait until they are sick to buy coverage.

The Economist

If you don't make your payments, you get most of the money that you've already paid back, less a small penalty for cancellation.

The Economist

The plan worked: the Democrats agreed to a small penalty on employers who didn't provide coverage and then rolled the whole health-care plan into a spending bill.

The New Yorker

The charges of "betraying the public trust" would carry only a small penalty, and Mr. ElBaradei had left for a home in Vienna.

The New York Times

By starting off with a small penalty for carbon emissions, politicians wouldn't have to take the blame for imposing immediate pain on the public.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Such small penalties, Mr. Pate wrote in a summary of the case, "have done little to deter these types of threats".

The New York Times

But opponents, including the Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who are already criticizing Mr. Obama for what they say is a low level of attention to China trade issues, might call the small penalties insufficient.

The New York Times

U.S. bankruptcy law allows companies operating under Chapter 11 protection to end contracts and pay relatively small penalties.

Forbes

The overall pattern of the two groups appeared to demonstrate that both were behaving according to the principle that large, infrequent penalties have less of an impact on long-term strategy than do frequent, small penalties.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

These two explanations mean that, at small penalties, where emphasis was on genetic gain, OCS decreased the variation in breeding values faster over time than it decreased the variation in additive-genetic relationships.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing legal or financial situations, use "small penalty" to clearly indicate that the consequence is not severe. This can help avoid misinterpretations about the seriousness of the matter.

Common error

Avoid using only "small" without providing context. Quantify the "small penalty" if possible (e.g., "a $50 small penalty") to give the reader a clearer understanding of its actual impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small penalty" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "penalty". It indicates the magnitude or severity of the penalty being discussed. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small penalty" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor consequence, such as a fine or sanction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently found in news and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. To ensure clarity, it's best to quantify the "small penalty" whenever possible, providing a concrete understanding of its impact. Consider using alternatives like "minor fine" or "modest sanction" depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor fine

Replaces "penalty" with "fine", emphasizing the financial aspect of the consequence.

modest sanction

Substitutes "small" with "modest" and "penalty" with "sanction", creating a slightly more formal tone.

slight consequence

Replaces "penalty" with "consequence", broadening the scope to non-financial repercussions.

negligible repercussion

Uses more formal and emphatic words to highlight the minor impact of the outcome.

light punishment

Emphasizes the punitive aspect of the penalty, suggesting a lenient punishment.

trivial forfeiture

Highlights something lost as a result of error but keeps it as something not important.

insignificant charge

Similar to minor fine, but the action is described with a negative spin.

nominal fee

Describes a payment that may exist but does not have a great value.

reduced assessment

Suggests that the original value of the item was lowered.

minimal imposition

Frames the penalty as an imposition or burden that is very light.

FAQs

How can I use "small penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "small penalty" to describe a minor consequence for an infraction. For example: "The company received a "small penalty" for the late filing."

What are some synonyms for "small penalty"?

Alternatives to "small penalty" include "minor fine", "modest sanction", or "slight consequence", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a small of penalty"?

No, the correct phrasing is "a small penalty". The word "of" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "small penalty" and "large penalty"?

"Small penalty" refers to a minor consequence, while "large penalty" indicates a significant and severe consequence. The choice depends on the severity of the infraction and its repercussions.