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Pedants' corner

Penalties exacted - help please

6 replies

FestiveGardenia · 08/12/2008 13:06

I have a sudden blind spot about this phrase.

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

against? from?

OP posts:
FestiveGardenia · 08/12/2008 13:20

upon?

aaaargh

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 08/12/2008 13:26

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.'

FestiveGardenia · 08/12/2008 13:36

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

OP posts:
RamblingRosa · 08/12/2008 13:41

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.

FestiveGardenia · 08/12/2008 13:43

Yes.

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

OP posts:
edam · 08/12/2008 13:45

Yes - you exact from.

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