ENGLISH
REFERENCE

imposing

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ// UK //ɪmpˈəʊzɪŋ// im·pos·ing

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

v. to officially force a rule, tax, or punishment to be obeyed or received. Transitive; requires a direct object and often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.


SIMPLE

The government plans to impose a new tax on sugar.

CONTEXTUAL

The school board decided to impose stricter rules on mobile phone use during classroom hours.

COMPLEX

International bodies may impose economic sanctions on a nation to pressure its leadership into complying with global human rights standards.

Synonyms
Usage

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

Pitfall

The council imposed to the residents a fine.The council imposed a fine on the residents.Impose is transitive; the direct object (the rule/fine) must come before the prepositional phrase.

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