What is penalty? Pronunciation and usage in English

penalty means . Learn how to pronounce and use penalty through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of penalty

penaltynoun

/ˈpɛnlti/
Definition & pronunciation of penalty

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "penalty" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • PEN-uh-lee

Let's break that down further:

  • PEN: Like the letter "pen" – short and crisp.
  • uh: A very short, almost swallowed "uh" sound – like the "a" in "about." It's a schwa sound.
  • lee: Like the name "Lee." It's a clear, short "ee" sound.

Here's a helpful breakdown with phonetic spellings (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

  • /ˈpɛn.li/

Tips for sounding right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "pen." It's a quick, light sound.
  • The "uh" is crucial. It’s often what people miss.
  • Keep the "lee" short and bright.

Resources to hear it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some examples of the word in a sentence?

Usage and examples with the word penalty in English

Let's break down how to use the word "penalty" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so it's important to understand the context.

1. As a Punishment (Most Common)

  • Meaning: A punishment for breaking a rule or law.
  • Examples:
    • "The soccer player received a penalty kick for tripping the opponent." (A direct punishment for a foul)
    • "He faced a hefty penalty for stealing company property." (A significant punishment)
    • "The company imposed a fine as a penalty for violating environmental regulations." (A financial punishment)
    • "There's a penalty for late arrivals to the meeting." (A specific consequence for being late)
  • Phrases:
    • "Pay a penalty" (to receive a punishment)
    • "Serve a penalty" (to endure a punishment)

2. In Sports (Specifically Football/Soccer)

  • Meaning: A free kick awarded to the opposing team when a foul is committed within a specific area of the field. This is the most common usage in this context.
  • Examples:
    • "The referee awarded a penalty kick to Manchester United."
    • "The goalkeeper saved the penalty shot."
    • "That was a clear penalty! The player was clearly fouled."

3. Financial Consequence (More Formal)

  • Meaning: A cost or disadvantage resulting from a failure or mistake. It's often used in business and legal contexts.
  • Examples:
    • "The bank imposed a penalty on the borrower for making late payments." (A financial charge)
    • "There's a penalty clause in the contract that could result in significant losses." (A provision in a contract defining consequences)
    • "The project suffered a cost penalty due to unforeseen delays." (A financial setback)

4. General Disadvantage/Loss

  • Meaning: A negative consequence or detriment. It can be less formal than the previous definitions.
  • Examples:
    • “The team’s poor performance resulted in a penalty of being eliminated from the competition.” (A negative result)
    • “He paid a heavy penalty for his arrogance.” (A significant cost or difficult consequence)

Key Differences & When to Use Which:

Category Context Example
Punishment General rule-breaking "He received a penalty for speeding."
Sports Football/Soccer "They scored a penalty kick."
Financial Business, Legal "There's a penalty clause in the contract."
General Disadvantage Less formal, broader sense “He paid a penalty for being late.”

Tips for Using "Penalty" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Pay attention to what is being discussed to determine the most appropriate meaning.
  • Be specific: If you're talking about sports, clearly state that you're referring to a "penalty kick."
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you might also consider using words like: fine, sanction, consequence, cost, drawback, detriment.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., a sports report, a business letter, a general essay?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you want to use the word "penalty"?

Synonyms for the word penalty

Idioms of the word penalty

pay the/a penalty/price (for something/for doing something)
to suffer because of bad luck, a mistake or something you have done
  • He looked terrible this morning. I think he's paying the penalty for all those late nights.
  • They're now paying the price for past mistakes.
  • She thinks that any inconvenience is a price worth paying for living in such a beautiful place.

Practice with vocabulary penalty

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Failure to submit the report by the deadline incurred a significant financial ______ from the regulatory body.
  2. The referee awarded a ______ kick after the defender committed a foul inside the penalty area.
  3. The new legislation aims to impose strict ______ on companies found guilty of data breaches.
  4. He was issued a parking ______ for leaving his car in a no-parking zone.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following can be considered a ______ for not adhering to contractual obligations? a) bonus b) waiver c) fine d) penalty e) reward

  2. If a project team fails to meet key performance indicators, what might they face? a) additional funding b) an incentive c) a penalty clause d) disciplinary action e) an appraisal

  3. What are common repercussions for severe misconduct in a professional setting? a) recognition b) suspension c) penalty d) severance package e) official reprimand

  4. Which terms describe a punitive measure imposed for breaking a rule or law? a) reward b) incentive c) punishment d) sanction e) premium

  5. What could be the direct ______ of widespread fraud within a financial institution? a) advantage b) benefit c) fallout d) repercussion e) dividend

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The company had to pay a significant amount for the late delivery of the goods. Rewrite (using "penalty" or related word form):

  2. Original: Breaking confidentiality agreements can lead to severe consequences for employees. Rewrite (using "penalty" or related word form):

  3. Original: The athlete received a two-game suspension as a penalty for his aggressive play. Rewrite (DO NOT use "penalty", use a suitable replacement word):

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Failure to submit the report by the deadline incurred a significant financial penalty from the regulatory body.
  2. The referee awarded a penalty kick after the defender committed a foul inside the penalty area.
  3. The new legislation aims to impose strict sanctions on companies found guilty of data breaches.
  4. He was issued a parking fine for leaving his car in a no-parking zone.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) fine, d) penalty
  2. c) a penalty clause, d) disciplinary action
  3. b) suspension, c) penalty, e) official reprimand
  4. c) punishment, d) sanction
  5. c) fallout, d) repercussion

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: The company incurred a significant penalty for the late delivery of the goods.
  2. Rewrite: Employees who break confidentiality agreements may face severe penalties.
  3. Rewrite: The athlete received a two-game suspension as a consequence of his aggressive play.

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