Penalties exacted - help please

[FestiveGardenia]

I have a sudden blind spot about this phrase.

I want to write "penalties were exacted xxx people who..."

against? from?

upon?

aaaargh

my gut feeling is that with that construction you don;t need to describe the person, just the offence

either you say 'Penalties were exacted for swearing.' or 'People heard swearing were penalised.'

Thanks MrsB I might use a way round like that. Going to niggle at me though...

According to this it should be "penalties were exacted from...". Have to say it sounds a bit clumsy to me though. Might be better to find another way round it as MrsB suggests.

Yes.

You would exact payment from someone, wouldn't you?

Yes - you exact from.