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Prepositions after verbs

Penalize for vs penalize by

Penalize for is the standard pattern for the reason behind a punishment. By usually introduces the method or amount of the penalty.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after penalize?

Use penalize for to state the offence or reason. Use by after penalize only when describing the means or amount of punishment, especially in passive structures.

Drivers may be penalized for speeding.
The team was penalized by a five-point deduction.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
penalize for + offence

Giving the reason for punishment

Penalize for introduces the action that caused the penalty.

Students can be penalized for plagiarism.
2
penalize by + amount/method

Describing the type of penalty

By introduces how the punishment is applied.

The company was penalized by a heavy fine.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
penalize for
They penalized him for late payment.
state the reason for punishment
penalize by
The player was penalized by two strokes.
state the amount or method of punishment
penalize with
The court penalized the firm with additional fees.
less common alternative introducing the penalty

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by for the offence

By should not normally introduce the reason for punishment.

✕ He was penalized by cheating. ✓ He was penalized for cheating.

Omitting the object of by

By should be followed by the penalty or method.

✕ The team was penalized by. ✓ The team was penalized by a fine.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Athletes may be ___ breaking the rules.
2. The club was ___ a points deduction.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Can penalize be spelled penalise?

Yes. Penalise is the British spelling.

Is penalize by common?

It is mainly used when describing the amount or form of punishment.

What is a synonym for penalize?

Punish is a common alternative in general English.

pack-with-in-into-for, on paint in, on, with, by or for? "park in" or "park at"? "partake in" or "partake of"? pass through, by, on, in or to? pave with, in, by, for or to? pay for, to, by, in or on? "peddle by" or "peddle to"? "peek at" or "peek into"? "peel off" or "peel for"? "pee on" or "pee in"? "peer into", "peer through" or "peer at"?

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