Explanation at your level:
A sentence is what a judge says in court. If someone does something bad, the judge decides their sentence. It is like a punishment.
In court, a judge gives a sentence to a person who is guilty. This sentence tells them how much time they must stay in prison or how much money they must pay as a fine.
The word sentence refers to the formal punishment decided by a judge. For example, if someone is found guilty, the judge will hand down a sentence, which might include prison time or a financial penalty.
When a court finds a defendant guilty, the judge issues a sentence. This is the legal consequence of the crime. It is a formal term used in news and legal contexts to describe the duration of a penalty.
The term sentence denotes the judicial determination of a penalty following a criminal conviction. It encompasses the severity of the punishment, such as incarceration or restitution, reflecting the court's final decision on the matter.
Etymologically derived from the Latin sententia, a sentence represents the formal, authoritative decree of a tribunal. It is a cornerstone of jurisprudence, defining the limits of liberty or property for those adjudicated as offenders within a legal system.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Legal punishment
- Decided by a judge
- Includes prison or fines
- Formal term
When we talk about a sentence in a legal sense, we are looking at the final decision a judge makes after someone is found guilty. It is essentially the 'consequence' phase of the justice system.
Think of it as the official answer to the question, 'What happens now?' A judge will look at the law and the specific details of the crime to decide if the person goes to prison, pays a fine, or performs community service. It is a very serious term that carries a lot of weight in society.
The word sentence comes from the Old French word sentencier and the Latin sententia, which means 'feeling, opinion, or judgment.' Originally, it didn't just mean a legal punishment; it meant a person's way of thinking or a wise saying.
Over time, the meaning shifted from a general 'opinion' to a formal 'judicial decision.' It is fascinating how a word that started as a way to express a personal feeling evolved into the cold, hard, legal reality of a prison term.
In daily life, you will hear this word most often in news reports or crime dramas. You might hear phrases like 'passing a sentence' or 'serving a sentence.'
It is important to note that this is a formal term. You wouldn't use it to describe a punishment at home or school—that would just be a 'consequence' or 'punishment.' Keep this word strictly for the courtroom or legal discussions.
While 'sentence' is a formal noun, it appears in several strong expressions. To pass sentence means the judge is officially announcing the punishment. A life sentence refers to being in prison for the rest of one's natural life.
Another common usage is suspended sentence, which is a punishment that is delayed unless the person commits another crime. These phrases help us navigate the complex world of law and order in English.
The word sentence is a countable noun, meaning you can have 'one sentence' or 'ten sentences.' The plural form is 'sentences.'
Pronunciation-wise, in the UK and US, it sounds like SEN-tuhns. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'tents' (if you stretch the sound) or 'presents' (in some dialects).
Fun Fact
It once meant a wise saying, like a proverb.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'sen' sound followed by a soft 'tuhns'.
Very similar to UK, crisp 't' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the second 'e' as a long sound.
- Missing the 's' at the end.
- Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Clear legal term.
Easy to use.
Clear pronunciation.
Common in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
The sentence is long.
Articles
A sentence.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The sentences are.
Examples by Level
The judge gave a sentence.
The judge decided the punishment.
Noun usage
The sentence is long.
The time in prison is long.
Adjective description
He has a prison sentence.
He must stay in prison.
Compound noun
The sentence is fair.
The punishment is just.
Subject-verb
She got a short sentence.
A small amount of time.
Adjective placement
The judge read the sentence.
The judge spoke the punishment.
Past tense verb
What is his sentence?
What is his punishment?
Question form
The sentence was five years.
He stays for five years.
Duration
The judge passed a harsh sentence.
He is serving a ten-year sentence.
The jury waited for the sentence.
She received a light sentence.
The sentence was announced today.
He appealed his prison sentence.
The law requires a mandatory sentence.
They finished their sentence.
The judge handed down a five-year sentence.
She was given a suspended sentence for the crime.
The mandatory sentence for this offense is severe.
He served his full sentence in a state prison.
The legal team argued for a reduced sentence.
The sentence was criticized by the public.
His sentence includes a heavy fine.
The court will deliver the sentence on Friday.
The judge imposed a life sentence on the defendant.
Critics argue that the sentence is disproportionate to the crime.
He was released after completing half of his sentence.
The defense attorney requested a lighter sentence.
The court's sentence caused a massive public outcry.
The judge is expected to pass sentence tomorrow.
A suspended sentence allows the offender to remain free.
The sentencing guidelines determine the length of the sentence.
The judiciary issued a landmark sentence that shocked the nation.
The offender was handed a concurrent sentence for multiple charges.
The judge's sentence was influenced by the defendant's prior record.
The prosecution sought a maximum sentence for the heinous act.
The appellate court reviewed the original sentence for errors.
The sentencing hearing concluded with a harsh sentence.
The mandatory minimum sentence limits judicial discretion.
The sentence serves as a deterrent to future criminal activity.
The judge's pronouncement of the sentence was met with stony silence.
The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the transgression.
The defendant faced a cumulative sentence for his various infractions.
The court's sentence was a calculated exercise of judicial authority.
The commutation of his sentence was a highly controversial decision.
The sentence stands as a testament to the rigidity of the penal code.
The legal framework dictates the parameters of the sentence.
The finality of the sentence underscores the weight of the verdict.
Synonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"pass sentence"
To officially announce a punishment.
The judge will pass sentence at noon.
formal"serve time"
To spend time in prison.
He is serving time for his crimes.
neutral"do time"
To be in prison.
He has done time before.
casual"a life sentence"
Punishment for the rest of one's life.
She got a life sentence.
neutral"suspended sentence"
A punishment that is not enforced unless another crime is committed.
He received a suspended sentence.
formalEasily Confused
Both happen in court.
Verdict is guilty/not guilty; sentence is the punishment.
The verdict was guilty; the sentence was prison.
Both mean a negative result.
Punishment is general; sentence is legal.
The punishment was a time-out; the sentence was jail.
It is a type of sentence.
Fine is money; sentence is the whole judgment.
His sentence was a fine.
Refers to time.
Term is the duration; sentence is the order.
He served a five-year term.
Sentence Patterns
The judge + verb + sentence
The judge passed sentence.
Subject + receive + a + sentence
He received a life sentence.
Subject + serve + a + sentence
She served a long sentence.
The sentence + include + object
The sentence includes a fine.
Adjective + sentence
It was a harsh sentence.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Sentence is specifically legal.
Sentence is ambiguous.
They are different legal stages.
Sentence is a noun here.
A sentence is just the punishment type.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom in your hallway.
Native Speakers
Use it only for legal matters.
Cultural Insight
It implies authority.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun, not a verb.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for home rules.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'opinion' in Latin.
Study Smart
Read news articles to see it in use.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Sent-ence: The judge SENT the person to the pen-ENCE (penitentiary).
Visual Association
A judge hitting a gavel on a wooden desk.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using the word 'sentence' in a legal context.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: Opinion or feeling.
Cultural Context
Legal terms should be used with care as they involve real human suffering.
Highly associated with the adversarial court system.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Courtroom
- pass sentence
- court order
- legal judgment
News
- announced the sentence
- served time
- appealed the sentence
Legal Study
- sentencing guidelines
- mandatory sentence
- suspended sentence
Drama/Movies
- I sentence you to...
- life in prison
- final sentence
Conversation Starters
"What do you think about harsh sentences?"
"Have you ever been to a courtroom?"
"Is a life sentence fair?"
"What are some alternatives to prison sentences?"
"How do judges decide a sentence?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a fictional court scene.
Describe how you would feel if you were a judge.
What is the difference between a fine and a prison sentence?
Why are laws important for society?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it can be a fine or community service.
No, use 'punishment' instead.
A punishment that is delayed.
A judge.
S-E-N-T-E-N-C-E.
Yes.
Yes, a group of words in grammar.
Yes, very.
Test Yourself
The judge gave him a long ___.
A judge gives a sentence.
What is a sentence?
It is a legal punishment.
A sentence is always a fine.
It can be prison or other things.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms to meanings.
The judge gave a long sentence.
Score: /5
Summary
A sentence is the official punishment given by a judge to someone found guilty of a crime.
- Legal punishment
- Decided by a judge
- Includes prison or fines
- Formal term
Memory Palace
Imagine a courtroom in your hallway.
Native Speakers
Use it only for legal matters.
Cultural Insight
It implies authority.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun, not a verb.
Example
The judge gave the man a light sentence because it was his first crime.
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This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
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