can be imposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be imposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, regulations, or conditions that may be enforced or applied to a situation or group. Example: "Certain restrictions can be imposed on the use of public spaces to ensure safety and order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The decree can be imposed retroactively.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, democracy isn't something that can be "imposed" from outside.

The New York Times

There are no sanctions that can be imposed.

The Guardian

A small fine can be imposed for not voting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The surcharges can be imposed in several ways.

The New York Times

Democracy is not something that can be imposed.

The Economist

They believe that virtue can be imposed by force of law and force of arms.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I believe we are in a situation where economic sanctions can be imposed".

The New York Times

All of this can be imposed without the need for any criminal conviction.

The Guardian - Opinion

High fines can be imposed on those using the facility without a permit.

The New York Times

The maximum sentence that can be imposed on an accused is life imprisonment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be imposed", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is doing the imposing and on whom or what it is being imposed. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be imposed" without specifying who has the authority to impose something. For instance, instead of saying "Fines can be imposed", specify "The council can impose fines" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be imposed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (imposing) is being done to a subject, rather than the subject performing the action. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be imposed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to express the possibility of applying rules, sanctions, or restrictions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its prevalence across diverse fields like news, science, and encyclopedias suggests a neutral register. To ensure clarity, always specify the agent imposing the action. Alternative phrases such as "may be mandated" or "could be enforced" provide similar meanings with varying levels of formality or conditionality. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "can be imposed" to convey potential consequences and obligations with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be mandated

Replaces "can" with "may" and "imposed" with "mandated", altering the tone to emphasize official requirement.

could be enforced

Substitutes "can" with "could", introducing a conditional element, and "imposed" with "enforced", highlighting the application of rules.

might be required

Changes "can" to "might" to express possibility, and "imposed" to "required", focusing on necessity.

is liable to be applied

Replaces the modal verb with a phrase expressing legal or formal possibility, and "imposed" with "applied", shifting the emphasis to implementation.

is subject to being levied

Changes the verb and emphasizes the potential for a charge or penalty to be applied.

is open to being placed

Highlights the openness or possibility of a restriction or condition being set.

is susceptible to being inflicted

Suggests a vulnerability to something negative or unwanted being applied.

is apt to be exacted

Implies a natural or expected tendency for something to be demanded or extracted.

is amenable to being administered

Focuses on the manageability and suitability of something for being applied or carried out.

is prone to being established

Emphasizes the likelihood of something being created or put in place.

FAQs

How can I use "can be imposed" in a sentence?

The phrase "can be imposed" indicates a potential action, often related to rules, regulations, or restrictions. For example, "Sanctions "can be imposed" for non-compliance".

What is a more formal alternative to "can be imposed"?

A more formal alternative is "may be mandated", which suggests a more official or authoritative requirement.

What's the difference between "can be imposed" and "must be imposed"?

"Can be imposed" indicates possibility or permission, whereas "must be imposed" indicates an obligation or requirement. The latter suggests a stricter enforcement.

Is "can be imposed" the same as "can be applied"?

While similar, "can be applied" focuses more on the act of implementing or using something, while "can be imposed" often refers to enforcing a rule or restriction. They can be interchangeable depending on the context, but "can be applied" generally lacks the connotation of authority or enforcement.