stronger sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stronger sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the effectiveness or impact of a particular sentence in writing or speech. Example: "To improve the clarity of your argument, consider revising it to create a stronger sentence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On 3 November prosecutors will appeal to South Africa's supreme court to try to secure a murder conviction and a stronger sentence for Pistorius.

The Guardian

"Whatever the judge's thoughts have been, he could fix on the fact that he is the one that funded the operation and give a stronger sentence or say he has already paid such a high price and reduce it, but he does not appear to be looking at this lightly".

The New York Times - Sports

Fundamental or "original" nomological statements are those logically equivalent to a true sentence (with no terms that "essentially refer" to particulars) in prenex form with at least one universal quantifier and such that no logically stronger sentence in the same vocabulary is true.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Last month, Mr Clarke also said that some kinds of marijuana may be reclassified to attract stronger sentences.Will it work?

The Economist

Mr. Morsi also replaced the public prosecutor, Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, a Mubarak appointee widely criticized for failing to win stronger sentences against Mr. Mubarak and his associates, and against abusive police officers.

The New York Times

The current drafts outline stronger sentencing for anyone engaged in hacking -- including those working for firms hired by companies trying to find holes in their security.

Huffington Post

If the guidelines had more credibility, he added, judges might be more inclined to follow them and hand down stronger sentences.

Huffington Post

Even in Louisiana, the world's prison capital, Republican Governor Bobby Jindal has passed modest measures, setting up an early release program for some nonviolent drug offenders, although he recently vetoed stronger sentencing reforms.

Vice

The only unusual thing is that the inadequate perpetrator was caught and given a comparatively strong sentence last month.

The Guardian - Opinion

This might be the strongest Sentence of the Month field in our entire six-month history of Sentence of the Month.

The New York Times

So I have to write good sentences – honest and beautiful and elegant and strong sentences".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for legal reform, use "stronger sentence" to emphasize the need for more impactful consequences for specific crimes.

Common error

Avoid using "stronger sentence" in casual conversation; opt for more natural phrasing like "harsher penalty" or "tougher sentence" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stronger sentence" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object of verbs like 'secure', 'hand down', or 'receive'. It describes the intensity or severity of a legally imposed penalty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stronger sentence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that typically appears in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. It functions as a noun phrase referring to the increased severity of a legal penalty. While relatively rare, its usage is consistent and aims to advocate for or discuss the need for more impactful punishments. When employing the phrase, consider the context and opt for alternatives like "more severe sentence" or "tougher sentence" in more casual scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more severe sentence

Directly indicates a greater level of severity in the imposed sentence.

stricter sentence

Implies a firmer and more rigorous application of the sentencing guidelines.

tougher sentence

Uses a more informal term to suggest a more demanding and less lenient sentence.

harsher penalty

Focuses specifically on the punitive aspect, implying a more severe consequence.

stiffer penalty

Suggests a more rigid and unyielding punishment.

increased punishment

Highlights the escalation of the penalty, emphasizing the augmented severity.

more rigorous penalty

Emphasizes the thoroughness and strictness of the punishment.

enhanced penalty

Suggests that the penalty has been improved or made more effective.

elevated punishment

Implies that the level of punishment has been raised or increased.

aggravated sentence

Focuses on factors that make the crime more serious, leading to a heightened sentence.

FAQs

What is an alternative to "stronger sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "more severe sentence", "harsher penalty", or "tougher sentence", depending on the context.

How does a "stronger sentence" differ from a "stricter sentence"?

While both imply increased severity, a "stronger sentence" often emphasizes impact, whereas a "stricter sentence" highlights adherence to rigid guidelines. Both can be used to indicate an increase in punishment.

In what situations would a "stronger sentence" be most appropriate?

The phrase is suitable in discussions about legal reform, criminal justice, and advocacy for more impactful punitive measures. It is often used in formal or professional contexts.

Can "stronger sentence" be used interchangeably with "longer sentence"?

Not always. While a "longer sentence" refers specifically to the duration of imprisonment, a "stronger sentence" can encompass other forms of punishment beyond imprisonment duration, such as increased fines or stricter parole conditions.