penalty for + action
Showing the reason for punishment
Use for to explain what caused the penalty.
There is a heavy penalty for late payment.
“Of penalty” or “on penalty”?
Penalty usually appears with for or a following noun phrase. Of penalty and on penalty are uncommon and depend on specific legal or formal contexts.
Quick answer
Natural uses of “penalty”
Penalty is most commonly used with for, under, or without a preposition after verbs like impose. Of penalty is rare outside formal phrases. On penalty appears mainly in legal expressions such as on penalty of a fine.
Drivers face a penalty for speeding.
The company acted on penalty of dismissal.
The judge imposed a penalty under the new law.
The company acted on penalty of dismissal.
The judge imposed a penalty under the new law.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
on penalty of + punishment
Using a formal legal warning
On penalty of is a formal expression meaning that punishment will follow if a rule is broken.
Employees must comply on penalty of suspension.
penalty under + law/rule
Referring to a legal framework
Use under to connect a penalty to a law or regulation.
The offence carries a penalty under federal law.
penalty of + amount/type
Naming the punishment itself
Penalty of is used when stating the exact punishment or amount.
The court imposed a penalty of $500.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
of penalty
The phrase amount of penalty appears in legal writing.
possible in limited formal structures, not a general pattern
on penalty
Visitors must register on penalty of removal.
formal expression meaning punishment may follow
penalty for
There is a penalty for tax evasion.
standard way to state the reason for punishment
penalty of
He received a penalty of two weeks' suspension.
states the punishment itself
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “on penalty” in everyday situations
On penalty of is very formal and mostly legal.
✕ You must call me on penalty of trouble. ✓ You must call me or there will be trouble.Using “of penalty” as a direct collocation
Penalty does not usually follow of directly as a fixed phrase.
✕ They discussed of penalty. ✓ They discussed the penalty.Omitting the reason after “penalty for”
For should be followed by the action or offence.
✕ There is a penalty for. ✓ There is a penalty for cheating.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. There is a penalty ___ late registration.
2. The notice said employees must comply on penalty ___ dismissal.
3. He received a penalty ___ $1,000.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “on penalty” correct?
Yes, but mainly in formal legal expressions such as on penalty of dismissal.
Is “of penalty” common?
No. It appears only in limited formal structures and is not a common general combination.
What preposition is most common with penalty?
For is the most common when explaining the reason for a penalty.
Related preposition guides
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