I. Definition and General Concept
“Sentence for” is a phrasal construction where “sentence” is a verb, and “for” is a preposition. The verb “sentence” in this context most commonly refers to the act of a judge or court determining the punishment for a convicted person. When we use “sentence for,” we are specifying the crime or offense for which the punishment is being given. For example, “The judge sentenced him to five years in prison for theft.” Here, “sentence” is the action of decreeing the punishment, and “for” indicates the reason for that sentence, which is the crime of theft.
II. Legal Context
A. Criminal Sentencing
- Determining Punishment
- In the legal system, the process of sentencing is a crucial step after a person has been found guilty of a crime. The judge takes into account various factors such as the nature and severity of the crime, the criminal history of the offender, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. For instance, in cases of violent crimes, the sentence for assault might be more severe if the offender has a prior record of similar offenses. The phrase “sentence for” helps clearly define the connection between the illegal act and the resulting punishment. A judge might say, “Based on the evidence presented, I sentence you to community service for petty theft. Considering your lack of prior criminal history, this seems an appropriate punishment for this offense.”
- Legal Precedents and Guidelines
- Sentencing for different crimes is often guided by legal precedents and established guidelines. These help ensure fairness and consistency in the justice system. For example, in many jurisdictions, there are standard sentencing ranges for drug - related offenses. The sentence for possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use might be different from the sentence for large - scale drug trafficking. Judges must adhere to these guidelines while also having some discretion to account for unique aspects of each case. A defense attorney might argue for a lighter sentence for their client, stating, “My client has shown great remorse for his crime. Given the mitigating circumstances, we believe a sentence at the lower end of the range for this type of fraud offense would be appropriate.”
III. Linguistic Usage and Variations
A. Active and Passive Voice
- Active Voice
- In active voice, the subject of the sentence is the one performing the act of sentencing. For example, “The jury recommended that the judge sentence the defendant to ten years in prison for manslaughter.” Here, the judge is the one who will carry out the sentencing action, and the “for” clause clearly states the crime. This construction emphasizes the agent (the judge in this case) and the action of sentencing in relation to the crime.
- Passive Voice
- In passive voice, the focus shifts to the person being sentenced. For instance, “The defendant was sentenced to a fine for tax evasion.” The passive construction can be used when the emphasis is more on the person receiving the sentence rather than the entity doing the sentencing. It is also common in news reports where the identity of the judge might not be as important as the fact that the sentence was given for a particular crime. For example, “A local businessman was sentenced to three years in prison for embezzlement, according to court records.”
B. Collocations and Related Expressions
- “Sentence for a Term”
- A common collocation is “sentence for a term,” which refers to a specific period of time for the punishment. For example, “The criminal was sentenced for a term of eight years for armed robbery.” This usage clearly indicates the duration of the sentence in relation to the crime committed.
- “Sentence for Life”
- “Sentence for life” is a very serious and well - known expression. It means that the offender is sentenced to spend the rest of their life in prison. For example, “The serial killer was sentenced for life for his heinous crimes.” This phrase is often used in high - profile criminal cases and conveys the extreme nature of the punishment for extremely serious offenses.
IV. Non - Legal Context (Rarer but Possible)
A. Figurative or Metaphorical Use
- Describing Consequences
- In a non - legal context, “sentence for” can be used figuratively to describe a situation where someone seems to be facing a negative consequence similar to a legal sentence. For example, “His constant procrastination sentenced him to a life of missed opportunities for advancement in his career.” Here, the “sentence” is not a legal one but rather a self - imposed or natural consequence of his behavior, and “for” still indicates the cause, which is procrastination. It's a way of emphasizing the cause - and - effect relationship in a more vivid, metaphorical way.
In conclusion, “sentence for” is a phrasal construction that plays a vital role in the legal system to define the relationship between a crime and its corresponding punishment. It also has some interesting linguistic variations and can be used metaphorically in non - legal contexts to describe cause - and - effect relationships with negative consequences.