collocation · formal
suspended sentence
UK/səˈspendɪd ˈsentəns/US/səˈspɛndɪd ˈsɛntəns/su·SPEND·ed SEN·tence
a punishment that is not carried out unless the offender commits another offence during a set period
Examples
“The judge gave him a suspended sentence because it was his first offence.”
“Instead of sending her to prison, the court imposed a suspended sentence with conditions.”
“Many defendants prefer a suspended sentence to a custodial term.”
Band 8 sentence
“The judge imposed a suspended sentence, citing the defendant’s remorse and lack of prior convictions.”
Collocations
- receive a suspended sentence
- impose a suspended sentence
- avoid custody with a suspended sentence
Word family
Common mistakes
get suspended sentence→get a suspended sentence
receive suspended sentence→receive a suspended sentence
Say it for a higher band
5not go to prison→6avoid prison→7+suspended sentence
Synonyms
deferred sentence
Easily confused
deferred sentence
“He received a deferred sentence, provided he completed the rehabilitation programme.”
Related words
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