# impose

/ˌɪmˈpoʊz/ (US) · /ɪmpˈəʊz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impose
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to force a rule or tax

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal · Academic

to use your authority to make sure a new law, tax, or rule is followed.

For teachers: to establish or apply a rule, tax, or restriction by authoritative decree. Transitive; requires a direct object.

- The government decided to impose a new tax on luxury cars next year.
- The international community threatened to impose strict economic sanctions if the regime refused to comply with the peace treaty terms.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'on' to indicate the group affected.

### 2. to bother someone

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to ask for a favour that might be inconvenient or unfair to the other person.

For teachers: to take unfair advantage of someone's time, hospitality, or good nature. Intransitive; almost always followed by 'on' or 'upon'.

- I don't want to impose on you, but could I stay on your sofa for one night?
- She felt she was imposing on her hosts by staying an extra week, despite their repeated assurances that she was welcome.

Usage: Usually functions as an intransitive verb followed by 'on' or 'upon'.

Teaching tip: In modern conversation, this is often used politely to avoid being a burden, such as 'I don't want to impose.'

### 3. to force your ideas

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to make someone accept your opinions or way of life.

For teachers: to force oneself or one's ideas and beliefs on others.

- Parents should not try to impose their own career dreams on their children.
- The colonial administration attempted to impose its own legal system and cultural values on the indigenous population.

### 4. printing

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to arrange pages in the correct order so they will be right when the paper is folded.

For teachers: to arrange pages of type in the correct order on a printing surface so that they appear in sequence after the sheet is printed and folded.

- The software will automatically impose the pages for the magazine layout.
- Before sending the file to the high-speed press, the technician must impose the digital plates to ensure the margins are consistent after binding.

## Examples

- The government plans to impose a new tax on luxury goods.
- The school board decided to impose a strict dress code to improve student discipline across the district.
- While the central bank may impose higher interest rates to curb inflation, such measures often disproportionately affect small businesses that rely on affordable credit lines for daily operations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.