be levied upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be levied upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or financial contexts to indicate that a tax, fine, or charge is imposed on a person or property. Example: "If the debt remains unpaid, a lien may be levied upon the property to secure the amount owed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Fines of up to $500 a day could be levied upon homes and businesses caught wasting water.

The Economist

During his election campaign, de Blasio floated the idea of a targeted education tax, to be levied upon New York City residents who earn more than half a million dollars a year.

The New Yorker

A state sales tax (2.9percentt) and a local sales tax (rate varying depending on the local jurisdiction) will also be levied upon marijuana purchases.

Huffington Post

The excise tax of no more than 15percentt will be levied upon the marijuana produced by a cultivation facility prior to 2017, after which the rate would be permitted to rise.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Five semi-arbitrary and subjective infractions are levied upon you and you are done.

The New York Times

"The classroom is a place where judgment is levied upon individuals, not unlike a court of law," said Noah Molotch, an assistant professor of geography.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the supreme court judgement is unlikely to undermine Black's obstruction of justice conviction, which was levied upon him for removing a dozen boxes of documents from his Toronto office in defiance of a court order requiring him to leave potential evidence intact.

The Guardian - Business

Non-government organizations and international communities should be aware of the human rights abuses being levied upon this vulnerable population and the mental health outcomes that may be associated with it.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

They also played a leading part in assessing the amount to be levied each year from the taille and in deciding upon the imposition of new taxes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Such charges should be levied with care".

The New York Times

(A separate fraud penalty can also be levied).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be levied upon", ensure the context is formal and relates to the imposition of a tax, fine, or duty. It's most appropriate in legal, financial, or administrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be levied upon" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "be charged" or "be imposed" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be levied upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a tax, fee, or charge is imposed by an external authority. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. This passive voice emphasizes the recipient of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be levied upon" is a formal phrase used to indicate that a tax, fee, or charge has been officially imposed. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, it's important to reserve this phrase for formal contexts and consider simpler alternatives like "be imposed on" for more casual situations. The phrase's authoritative tone makes it suitable for legal, financial, and administrative discussions, but it may sound out of place in everyday conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be imposed on

Changes the phrasing to a more common synonym, simpler and less formal.

be assessed against

Focuses on the process of evaluation and determination of a fee or tax.

be charged with

Shifts the focus slightly towards accusations or responsibilities, implying a formal assessment.

be subjected to

Implies a broader range of actions or conditions, not limited to financial impositions.

be exacted from

Suggests a forceful or demanding collection of something, often taxes or fines.

be placed on

A more general term for imposing something, lacks the financial nuance of "levied".

be inflicted upon

Carries a stronger negative connotation, implying suffering or harm from the imposition.

be burdened with

Highlights the weight or difficulty caused by the imposition of something.

be encumbered by

Similar to burdened, emphasizing the restrictive or hindering effect of the imposition.

be billed for

More specifically refers to receiving an invoice or demand for payment.

FAQs

What does "be levied upon" mean?

The phrase "be levied upon" means that a tax, fee, fine, or other type of charge is officially imposed on someone or something.

When is it appropriate to use "be levied upon"?

Use "be levied upon" in formal contexts, especially when discussing legal, financial, or administrative matters. It's suitable when referring to taxes, fines, or duties being officially imposed.

What are some alternatives to "be levied upon"?

You can use alternatives such as "be imposed on", "be charged with", or "be subjected to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be levied upon" the same as "be imposed on"?

While similar, "be levied upon" often implies a more formal or official imposition, typically related to taxes or penalties. "Be imposed on" is a more general term and can apply to a wider range of situations.