substantial fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a significant monetary penalty is being discussed, often in legal or regulatory situations. Example: "The company faced a substantial fine for violating environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Tesco could face a substantial fine from regulators.

The Guardian - Business

Should the airline and passengers decide to prosecute, Ersson could face a substantial fine.

The Guardian

A settlement could be reached as soon as this month, most likely including a substantial fine.

The New York Times

It could be a substantial fine but you need to ask what the point is".

The Guardian

A substantial fine is a traditional way to send a clear message.

The New York Times

In addition to a ban, the group will ask the court to impose a "substantial" fine on the whalers.

The Guardian

"We view these breaches as particularly serious and fully deserving of what is a very substantial fine".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

She faced up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines.

The New York Times

Reporters have spent time in jail and publishers have paid substantial fines as a consequence.

The New York Times

Penalites for violations can include substantial fines and imprisonment of up to three years.

The New York Times

The charges come with the potential for significant penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial fine", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity or significant impact of the fine. Quantify the fine if possible to reinforce its substantial nature.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial fine" for minor penalties. Reserve it for situations where the financial consequence is genuinely significant and impactful, not just a routine fee.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial fine" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "fine". It describes a penalty involving a significant amount of money, typically imposed for violations of laws or regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial fine" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that denotes a significant monetary penalty. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for use in written English. It frequently appears in news, business, and legal contexts to emphasize the seriousness of a financial repercussion. While alternatives like "significant penalty" or "large fine" exist, "substantial fine" specifically highlights the impactful nature of the amount. When employing this phrase, consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the monetary consequence being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant penalty

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the fine rather than its specific amount.

heavy penalty

Indicates the severity or burden imposed by the fine.

large fine

Focuses on the monetary amount of the fine being considerable.

considerable levy

Replaces 'fine' with 'levy', suggesting a formal or official imposition, while 'considerable' highlights the size.

significant financial sanction

More formal, emphasizing the financial aspect and the punitive nature.

hefty charge

Suggests a large and possibly unwelcome expense or cost.

major forfeiture

Implies a loss or surrender of something valuable as a penalty.

serious financial penalty

Highlights the severity of the financial consequence.

significant monetary punishment

A formal and emphatic way to describe a large fine, stressing its role as a punishment.

severe financial repercussion

Suggests a serious and far-reaching consequence in monetary terms.

FAQs

How to use "substantial fine" in a sentence?

Use "substantial fine" to describe a significant monetary penalty, as in, "The company faced a "substantial fine" for environmental violations" or "Individuals who provide false information on their tax returns may incur a "substantial fine"".

What are some alternatives to "substantial fine"?

You can use alternatives like "significant penalty", "heavy penalty", or "large fine" depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "substantial fine" or "large fine"?

Both "substantial fine" and "large fine" are correct, but "substantial" implies a more significant or impactful amount than simply "large". Choose based on the degree of severity you wish to express.

What makes a fine "substantial"?

A fine is considered "substantial" when it is significant enough to have a noticeable impact on the individual or entity paying it. The actual amount varies depending on the context and the financial resources of the entity.