impose on
impose on — phrasal verb
- impose onbase form
- imposes on3rd person singular
- imposing on-ing form
- imposed onpast simple
1. to officially make people accept a new law, tax, rule, or punishment, often by u
to officially make people accept a new law, tax, rule, or punishment, often by using authority
The government imposed a new tax on imported cars to protect local manufacturers.
impose + [tax] + on + [thing]
Strict lockdown rules were imposed on the entire region after the outbreak.
passive: [rule] + was imposed on + [group]
The judge imposed a heavy fine on the company for dumping waste into the river.
Schools should not impose a uniform dress code without asking parents for their opinions first.
New safety rules were imposed on all building sites after the accident.
passive: safety rules + were imposed on + [place]
- impose a tax
- impose a fine
- impose sanctions
- impose a ban
- impose restrictions
- impose conditions
Grammar Patterns
impose + [law/tax/rule] + on + [person/group]
be imposed on + [person/group]
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice when the focus is on the rule or punishment itself rather than the authority that created it.
2. to pressure someone into adopting a particular belief, custom, or lifestyle agai
to pressure someone into adopting a particular belief, custom, or lifestyle against their wishes
Colonial powers often tried to impose their religion on the local population.
impose + [religion] + on + [group]
Naoko felt her parents were trying to impose their old-fashioned values on her career choices.
No country has the right to impose its political system on another independent nation.
impose + [political system] + on + [nation]
The new manager imposed his working methods on the team without listening to their concerns.
Parents should guide their children's choices rather than impose their own dreams on them.
impose + [dream/opinion] + on + [someone]
- impose a belief
- impose values
- impose a lifestyle
- impose an idea
- impose a system
- impose views
Grammar Patterns
impose + [belief/value] + on + [person/group]
Usage Note
This sense carries a negative connotation — it suggests the person on the receiving end does not want the belief or lifestyle being forced on them.
Etymology
The verb 'impose' comes from Latin 'imponere' (in- 'on' + ponere 'to put, place'), meaning literally 'to place upon'. The particle 'on' was added later in English to reinforce the original sense of placing something onto someone. The two modern senses — forcing rules and forcing beliefs — both evolved from this core idea of 'putting upon' someone against their will.