to penalize

USAGE SUMMARY

"to penalize" is a grammatically correct part of a sentence and can be used in written English.
It means to impose a punishment or consequence for a wrongdoing. Example sentence: The company has a strict policy to penalize employees who are consistently late to work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's not trying to penalize them.

The New York Times

"Why are you going to penalize Nunez?

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't want to penalize anyone for being a smoker.

The New York Times

You want to penalize the people who are most responsible.

The New York Times - Sports

That makes it hard to penalize soccer players.

The New York Times

Is it bad to penalize Wall Street for what happened?

The New York Times

"It's inappropriate to penalize someone for hiring someone," Fehr said.

The New York Times - Sports

"They do not have the authority to penalize online gaming".

The New York Times

He said that the process would be fair and thorough, and that the agency would not respond to outside pressures either to penalize or not to penalize athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

If they had tried to penalize me, I would have gone ballistic.

The New York Times - Sports

But investors are unlikely to penalize companies for sitting on the sidelines for now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to penalize", ensure the context clearly defines the rule or standard being violated and the specific penalty being applied.

Common error

Avoid using "to penalize" when a simple correction or adjustment is needed. "To penalize" implies a formal rule violation and a more significant consequence, not just a minor adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to penalize" functions as an infinitive verb, often used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as demonstrated by the numerous examples found across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to penalize" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb that conveys the intention to impose a penalty or sanction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. The frequency of its appearance in News & Media and Science suggests its relevance across a range of discussions. To avoid errors, remember that "to penalize" implies a formal rule violation rather than a simple correction. Consider using alternatives like "to punish" or "to discipline" depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its precise meaning and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use the phrase "to penalize" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to impose a penalty

A more formal and explicit way of saying "to penalize".

to punish

Directly implies inflicting a penalty or suffering for an offense, similar to "to penalize" but broader.

to administer consequences

Highlights the administration of a predetermined set of repercussions.

to take punitive action

Highlights the action taken as a consequence, emphasizing the severity of the measure.

to sanction

Implies official permission or authorization, contrasting with the negative connotation of "to penalize".

to hold accountable

Focuses on assigning responsibility and applying consequences, which may include penalties.

to discipline

Suggests training or correction, which can involve penalties but focuses on improvement.

to exact retribution

Implies seeking revenge or exacting a penalty for wrongdoing, more forceful than "to penalize".

to fine

Specifically refers to imposing a monetary penalty, a subset of "to penalize".

to levy a charge

Suggests imposing a fee or tax as a penalty.

FAQs

How do you use "to penalize" in a sentence?

The phrase "to penalize" is used to indicate the act of imposing a punishment or penalty for a violation of a rule or law. For example: "The referee decided "to penalize" the team for unsportsmanlike conduct".

What can I say instead of "to penalize"?

You can use alternatives like "to punish", "to discipline", or "to sanction" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to penalize" or "penalize"?

"To penalize" is the infinitive form of the verb, often used with modal verbs or to express purpose. "Penalize" is the base form of the verb, used in other tenses and constructions. Both are correct, but their usage depends on the grammatical context. For example, you might say "They will penalize the team" or "The goal is "to penalize" the team".

What's the difference between "to penalize" and "to punish"?

While both terms involve imposing consequences for wrongdoing, "to penalize" often refers to specific rules or regulations and predetermined penalties. "To punish" is a broader term that can encompass a wider range of actions and may not always be tied to a formal rule. You "to punish" a child for misbehaving but "to penalize" a team for breaking the rules.