could be levied upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could 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 claim can be imposed on a particular asset or individual. Example: "If the debt remains unpaid, a lien could be levied upon the property to recover the owed amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For companies, the tax could be levied on all property but offset against corporation tax paid.

The Guardian

But a similar charge could be levied against the banners, who include both the religious right and left-wing Luddites.

The Economist

Communal taxes could be levied, and sometimes the government helped manage communities, as in Napoleon's "consistory" system.

The New York Times

Less than one-quarter knew that income tax could be levied on interest earned in a savings account.

The Economist

A similar charge could be levied on governments' excess deficits, the amount exceeding the Maastricht limit of 3% of GDP.

The Economist

It also stated that no laws could be dispensed with or suspended without the consent of Parliament and that no taxes could be levied without its authority.

Independent

He said it was too early to say whether Google was violating any regulations or whether any fines or penalties could be levied.

The New York Times - Tech

The income tax charge could be levied from monthly pay cheques, via people's personal tax codes.

BBC

If there's more than one infraction on one set, years of imprisonment could be levied over a single movie.

Huffington Post

Alternatively a fee could be levied on pharmaceutical companies for every prescription filled for one of their products.

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be levied upon", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being imposed (e.g., a tax, fine, or penalty) and on whom or what it is being imposed. For instance, "A tax could be levied upon imported goods."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "could be levied upon" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "could be charged" or "might be imposed" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be levied upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating the possibility of a tax, fine, or penalty being imposed on someone or something. It describes a potential action rather than a definite one, as Ludwig confirms with its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be levied upon" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility of a tax, fine, or penalty being imposed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most appropriately used in formal and professional contexts such as legal documents, financial reports, and news articles. While the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable, it leans towards a more formal tone and has a limited range of application. Consider simpler alternatives in less formal situations, such as "could be imposed on". Although it is rarely used, when used properly the user can express a specific action upon a target, as opposed to a more generic form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be imposed on

Replaces "levied upon" with a more common and direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

could be charged against

Focuses on the act of charging something against someone or something, implying a financial obligation.

could be subjected to

Highlights the idea of being made to undergo a specific action or consequence, broadening the context beyond just financial penalties.

may be assessed on

Uses "assessed" to emphasize the evaluation or determination of a charge, typically used in financial contexts.

might be exacted from

Uses "exacted" to suggest a more forceful or demanding imposition of a payment or penalty.

can be applied to

Offers a general alternative applicable to a wider range of contexts beyond just financial penalties.

is liable to be charged

Emphasizes the potential for a charge to occur, framing it as a legal or financial liability.

is subject to

Implies a conditional relationship where something is vulnerable to a specific action or consequence.

may incur

Focuses on the action of accumulating or bringing upon oneself a charge or penalty.

can face

Highlights the possibility of confronting a charge or penalty, often implying a negative consequence.

FAQs

What does "could be levied upon" mean?

It means that a tax, fee, fine, or other charge may be officially imposed or applied to something or someone.

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

It is appropriate in formal contexts, especially legal or financial writing, when discussing the potential imposition of charges or penalties.

What are some alternatives to "could be levied upon"?

Alternatives include "could be imposed on", "could be charged against", or "may be assessed on", depending on the specific context.

Is "could be levied upon" the same as "could be levied"?

While similar, "could be levied upon" specifies what the charge is being placed on. "Could be levied" implies that something is being charged, but the target might not be explicitly stated. The difference is that the phrase "could be levied" doesn't include a target for the action, while the phrase "could be levied upon" does.