be imposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be imposed to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "be imposed on." Example: "The new regulations will be imposed on all businesses starting next month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rules would also be imposed to prevent laddering.

The New York Times

An embargo may also be imposed to prevent potentially threatening countries from increasing their military power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I realize that many conditions need to be imposed to make deregulation work in society".

The New York Times

If these measures do not relieve demand, then perhaps surcharges should be imposed to curb use.

The New York Times

This results in wide (and costly) safety margins having to be imposed, to ensure there is no rapid deterioration.

The Economist

No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.

The New Yorker

Foreign Travel Orders can be imposed to prevent paedophiles going abroad if they are thought likely to commit further offences.

The Guardian

Regulatory halts are mandatory for all markets, and can be imposed to allow dissemination of news about a company.

The New York Times

He agreed that measures could be imposed to ensure Tappin was monitored if released, but said a discrepancy in Tappin's financial statement led to him being denied bail.

Independent

THE question put to voters across Georgia in the July 31st statewide primary was simple: should a temporary 1% sales tax be imposed to fund big transport projects?

The Economist

Second, he believes that seniors and the middle class cannot be excused from the benefit cuts that will have to be imposed to rebalance these systems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "be imposed on" instead of "be imposed to" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example: "New regulations will be imposed on all businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "imposed" in passive constructions. The correct preposition is "on". Using "to" can lead to misinterpretation and detract from the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be imposed to" functions as a passive construction where something is meant to be applied or enforced. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct form is "be imposed on."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be imposed to" appears frequently in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be imposed on". It is intended to convey the application or enforcement of a rule or obligation. Despite its prevalence, especially in news and scientific contexts, it should be replaced with the correct preposition "on" or with alternatives like "be subjected to", "be required", or "be enforced on" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be enforced on

Corrects the preposition, making the phrase grammatically sound while retaining a similar meaning.

be subjected to

Replaces "imposed" with "subjected", indicating something is undergone or experienced, which is grammatically correct.

be mandated

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb that expresses the same concept of requirement.

be required

Uses a different verb to express necessity or obligation.

be placed upon

Emphasizes the act of putting something (like a restriction) on someone or something, maintaining grammatical correctness.

be applied to

Similar in meaning, but focusing on the action of putting something into effect.

be levied on

Specifically used for taxes or charges, providing a more specific context.

be exacted from

Suggests a more forceful or demanding imposition.

be inflicted on

Implies a negative or undesirable imposition.

be saddled with

Indicates that something burdensome is being imposed.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "be imposed" with a preposition?

The correct preposition to use with "be imposed" is "on". The phrase should be "be imposed on", as in "The new rules will "be imposed on" all participants".

Is "be imposed to" grammatically correct?

No, "be imposed to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be imposed on". Using "to" after "imposed" in this context is a common mistake, but it should be avoided in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "be imposed to"?

Instead of "be imposed to", you can use alternatives like "be subjected to", "be required", or "be enforced on", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "be imposed to" and "be imposed on"?

"Be imposed to" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used. "Be imposed on" is the correct phrase and means that something is officially required or applied to someone or something.