a tax on

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tax on" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a fee or levy associated with something. For example, "The government imposed a tax on luxury goods to help fund public services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A tax on "bad food" isn't one of them.

The New York Times

A tax on aviation?

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a tax on women.

The Guardian

A tax on comfort, safety.

The New Yorker

a. Introduced a tax on tea.

The New York Times

"It's a tax on jobs!" they cry.

The Guardian

It's a tax on job creation itself.

The New Yorker

Impose a tax on plastic surgery?

The New York Times - Health

Or a tax on small sugary drinks.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A tax on the fat.

Huffington Post

A tax on banks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policy, be specific about what the "tax on" applies to (e.g., "a tax on carbon emissions" versus "a tax on goods").

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the tax. Avoid vague statements like "the new tax", and instead use precise language such as "the new tax on imported steel".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tax on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as a noun modifier or as part of a larger phrase to specify what is being taxed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tax on" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to specify the subject of a tax. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. Key takeaways include ensuring clarity by specifying what is being taxed and using related phrases like "a levy on" or "a charge on" for variety. Ludwig's examples highlight its broad applicability and the importance of context in understanding its precise meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a levy on

Replaces "tax" with "levy", which is another word for an imposed fee or charge.

a charge on

Substitutes "tax" with "charge", indicating a cost or fee applied to something.

a fee for

Uses "fee" instead of "tax", suggesting a payment for a service or privilege.

an imposition on

Replaces "tax" with "imposition", emphasizing the act of enforcing a burden or obligation.

a duty on

Uses "duty" to denote a tax, especially on imports or exports.

an assessment on

Replaces "tax" with "assessment", indicating an evaluation or calculation of a charge.

a tariff on

Specifies "tariff" as a tax specifically on imported goods.

a penalty for

Substitutes "tax" with "penalty", implying a punishment or fine for an action.

a surcharge on

Uses "surcharge" to indicate an additional tax or fee added to an existing cost.

a contribution to

Replaces "tax" with "contribution", suggesting a required payment towards a common fund or cause.

FAQs

How can I use "a tax on" in a sentence?

Use "a tax on" to describe a fee or levy imposed on something. For example, "The government is considering "a tax on luxury goods"".

What are some alternatives to "a tax on"?

You can use alternatives like "a levy on", "a charge on", or "a fee for", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a tax on"?

Yes, "a tax on" is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce the subject being taxed.

What is the difference between "a tax on" and "taxes on"?

"A tax on" refers to a singular tax on something, while "taxes on" refers to multiple taxes or different types of taxes imposed on something. For example, "A tax on income" vs "taxes on property".