Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with sentence in American Collocation

sentence noun countable

US /ˈsent(ə)ns/

in prison/not in prison

custodial
non-custodial

Both women are now serving a custodial sentences.

most/least severe allowed

maximum
minimum

Those found guilty of harassment now face a maximum five-year jail sentence.

long/short

brief
lengthy
long
short

Anyone who breaches the injunction will face arrest and the possibility of a long prison sentence.

length of sentence

two-year, six-month etc

Scott is nearing the end of a five-year prison sentence.

severe

harsh
heavy
tough

If defendants feel that the sentence was too harsh, they can appeal against it in the Appeal Court.

not severe

lenient
light

In my judgment, the sentence was unduly lenient.

ordered by law

mandatory

The mandatory sentence for murder is life.

only if you commit another crime

conditional
suspended

She received a two-year suspended sentence for bank fraud.

community
death
jail
life
prison

He is serving a life sentence for murder.

officially say what the sentence is

hand down
impose
pass
pronounce

If the defendant is found guilty the judge may pass sentence immediately.

receive a sentence

be given
get
receive

He was found guilty on two charges and received an 18-month sentence.

spend time in prison

complete
serve

The vast majority of women in prison are serving sentences for non-violent offences.

when a sentence is likely

face

If found guilty, she faces a prison sentence of 15–20 years.

reduce a sentence

commute
reduce

His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

lead to a particular sentence

attract
carry

This offence carries a custodial sentence.

officially cancel a sentence

overturn
quash

She initially got 8 years in jail, but the sentence was overturned in the Appeal Court.