was given a fine

USAGE SUMMARY

'was given a fine' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone receives a penalty for breaking the law or breaking a rule. For example: The driver was given a fine for speeding in a residential area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He was given a fine and released.

The New York Times

He was given a fine of $13,000 and a suspended sentence of three months.

The New York Times

It was given a fine performance by Western soloists and the excellent Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, artfully led from the harpsichord by Aaron Carpenè.

The New York Times - Arts

The other was Elliott Carter's "Trilogy," for harp and oboe, which was given a fine performance by Marcia Butler, oboist, and Stacey Shames, harpist.

The New York Times - Arts

Nicky Henderson's Spirit River was given a fine ride by Barry Geraghty to run out an impressive winner of the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

The Guardian - Sport

After meeting with the race jury following the run, Innerhofer was given a fine and penalized to start 46th on Saturday, substantially hurting his chances for a strong result.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Its lovers are given a fine future, imperiling law-abiding motorists on Los Angeles freeways.

The New York Times

It is given a fine varnish, but only time will tell how well it keeps keyboard dirt at bay.

Independent

The bombarding ions can be given a fine focus, with beam diameters of a few micrometres attainable.

Britannica

"Most of us have already been given a fine, or have been asked to put our dog back on leash or to go somewhere else," Desnos says.

The Guardian

The leather of these loafers, trainers and drivers has been given a fine rubber coating, which gives this footwear a very nice matte finish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting legal or official matters, use "was given a fine" to clearly indicate that a penalty has been formally issued to someone.

Common error

Avoid using plural subjects with "was given a fine". It's more accurate to say "they were given fines" when multiple individuals receive penalties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given a fine" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received a monetary penalty. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was given a fine" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression used to indicate that someone received a monetary penalty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While most commonly found in news and media contexts, it is also used in encyclopedias and wiki sources. Alternatives such as "was penalized" or "incurred a penalty" may be used depending on the desired emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was penalized

A more direct and concise way of saying someone received a fine.

was assessed a penalty

Emphasizes the official assessment of the fine.

incurred a penalty

Focuses on the act of acquiring a penalty rather than the act of awarding it.

faced a financial penalty

Highlights the financial consequence of an action.

received a sanction

Implies a more formal or official punishment.

was charged a fee

Emphasizes the act of being billed or assessed a fee.

had to pay a fee

Highlights the financial aspect of the penalty.

was forced to pay a sum

Highlights the obligation to pay a specific amount of money.

bore a financial burden

Implies a heavier or more significant financial obligation.

suffered a monetary loss

Focuses on the negative financial impact experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "was given a fine" in a sentence?

Use "was given a fine" when you want to state that someone received a monetary penalty for an offense. For example, "The driver "was given a fine" for speeding."

What's the difference between ""was given a fine"" and "was fined"?

"Was given a fine" is a passive construction emphasizing the act of receiving the penalty, while "was fined" is more direct, emphasizing the state of being penalized.

What can I say instead of ""was given a fine""?

You can use alternatives like "was penalized", "incurred a penalty", or "was assessed a penalty" depending on the specific context.

Is "was given a fine" formal or informal?

"Was given a fine" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both news reporting and general communication.