Y07W28VC Theme Words — Crime & punishment

This module focuses on vocabulary connected to the theme of Crime & punishment. The words in this set are used when discussing the justice system, criminal behaviour, legal consequences, and debates about rehabilitation, deterrence, and fairness. Many of these terms appear in law, criminology, journalism and academic writing. Developing fluency with this vocabulary helps students engage critically with questions about justice, ethics, and societal responses to wrongdoing.

Word in Context (Theme: Crime & punishment)

These three words connect to the theme of Crime & punishment. As you read, notice how each word helps you discuss this topic with more precise, thoughtful language.

justice

/ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/

jus‑tice

noun

The fair treatment of people according to law; the system of courts and punishment; the quality of being just or fair.

Word family: just (adj.), justly (adv.)

Example: The criminal justice system aims to protect the community and ensure justice for victims.

Synonyms: fairness, righteousness, law

Collocations: justice system, criminal justice, access to justice

consequence

/ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/

con‑se‑quence

noun

A result or effect of an action or decision, especially one that is negative or important; an outcome or repercussion.

Word family: consequent (adj.), consequently (adv.)

Example: The consequence of serious crime can include imprisonment or heavy fines.

Synonyms: result, effect, outcome

Collocations: serious consequence, face consequences, consequence of

moral

/ˈmɒr.əl/

mor‑al

adjective

Relating to the principles of right and wrong behaviour; concerned with ethics and how people should behave.

Word family: morality (n.), morally (adv.)

Example: There are important moral questions about the purpose of punishment.

Synonyms: ethical, virtuous, principled

Collocations: moral issue, moral responsibility, moral question

Academic Vocab

concept

/ˈkɒn.sept/

con‑cept

noun

A general idea or understanding about something; a principle or abstract idea that represents a category or group of things.

Word family: conception (n.), conceptual (adj.)

Example: The concept of justice varies across different cultures and legal systems.

Synonyms: idea, principle, notion

Collocations: basic concept, key concept, the concept of

notion

/ˈnəʊ.ʃən/

no‑tion

noun

A vague or general idea or understanding about something; a belief or impression, often not fully developed.

Word family: notional (adj.)

Example: The notion that punishment always prevents crime is not supported by evidence.

Synonyms: idea, belief, impression

Collocations: have a notion, common notion, mistaken notion

ideology

/ˌaɪ.diːˈɒl.ə.dʒi/

i‑de‑ol‑o‑gy

noun

A system of ideas, beliefs, and values that shapes how a group or society thinks about issues; a set of principles underlying a political or social system.

Word family: ideological (adj.), ideologically (adv.)

Example: Different ideologies influence how countries approach criminal justice and sentencing.

Synonyms: beliefs, principles, doctrine

Collocations: political ideology, ideological differences, underlying ideology

framework

/ˈfreɪm.wɜːk/

frame‑work

noun

A basic system of rules, principles, or structures that provides support for something; a structure used to organize thinking or actions.

Example: The legal framework for criminal punishment includes laws and sentencing guidelines.

Synonyms: structure, system, outline

Collocations: legal framework, framework for, conceptual framework

theory

/ˈθɪ.ə.ri/

the‑o‑ry

noun

A system of ideas intended to explain something based on general principles; a proposed explanation based on evidence or reasoning.

Word family: theoretical (adj.), theorist (n.)

Example: Criminologists develop theories about why people commit crimes.

Synonyms: hypothesis, explanation, idea

Collocations: develop a theory, test a theory, according to the theory

the concept of

/ðə ˈkɒn.sept ɒv/

the concept of

phrase (discourse marker)

A phrase used to introduce or discuss an abstract idea or general principle.

Example: The concept of rehabilitation aims to help offenders reintegrate into society.

Synonyms: the idea of, the principle of, the notion of

Collocations: the concept of justice, the concept of punishment, the concept of crime

Confusing Words

which vs that

These words are often confused because they both introduce clauses that describe a noun, but they have different functions and require different punctuation.

  • that — That introduces an essential (restrictive) clause — information that is necessary to identify which specific thing is being discussed. Essential clauses are not separated by commas. For example: The criminals that were convicted of robbery received long sentences. (This tells us which criminals — specifically those convicted of robbery.)
  • which — Which introduces a non-essential (non-restrictive) clause — additional information that adds detail but is not necessary to identify the noun. Non-essential clauses are set off by commas. For example: The three criminals, which were convicted of robbery, received long sentences. (We already know which criminals are being discussed; this just adds extra information.)

Memory rule: If removing the clause changes which thing you are talking about, use that (no commas). If removing the clause just removes extra detail, use which (with commas).