ENGLISH
REFERENCE

imposed

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪmˈpoʊzd// UK //ɪmpˈəʊzd// im·posed

v. to force a rule, tax, or belief on someone. You use this when a person in power makes others follow a new decision.

v. to establish or apply by authority; to force the acceptance or practice of something. Transitive — requires a direct object, often followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.


SIMPLE

The government imposed a new tax on fuel.

CONTEXTUAL

The school board imposed a strict dress code to improve the learning environment.

COMPLEX

The central bank imposed rigorous capital requirements on local lenders to ensure the stability of the financial system during the economic downturn.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and typically takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the person or group affected.

Pitfall

The law imposed to the citizensThe law was imposed on the citizensImpose is transitive and requires a direct object; it cannot be followed directly by 'to'.

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