exact a toll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exact a toll" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of making someone pay a price, often in exchange for something else. For example, "The long commute to work each day exacts a toll on my mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Over time, overuse will exact a toll on the body".

The New York Times - Health

Dubsdread did exact a toll on some players Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

All energy and power systems exact a toll.

The New York Times

Could enhancing one kind of thinking exact a toll on others?

The Guardian

But those omissions can exact a toll, especially when catering to an audience that is primarily straight, white, and male.

The New Yorker

Vision that is too heavily weighted toward achievement at the expense of employee experience can exact a toll.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The method exacted a toll.

The New Yorker

Dudley's football injuries exacted a toll.

The New York Times - Sports

Her pell-mell success exacts a toll.

The New York Times

Openness, too, exacts a toll.

The New York Times - Books

Already the changes are exacting a toll.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exact a toll", ensure the context clearly indicates what is bearing the cost or suffering the consequences. This makes the impact of the toll more vivid and understandable.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying what action or event is "exacting a toll". Be precise about the cause-and-effect relationship to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exact a toll" functions as a verb phrase, where "exact" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object (the toll). As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase describes a process where something negative is being extracted or taken as a consequence. The subject is typically an action, situation, or condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exact a toll" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the negative consequences or costs associated with a particular action or situation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal and scientific contexts. While "exact a toll" conveys the idea of a negative impact, consider more precise alternatives—such as ""take a heavy toll"" or "impose a burden"—to fine-tune your message. Ensure that the context clearly specifies what is bearing the cost to maximize the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a heavy toll

Highlights the severity or intensity of the negative impact.

cause damage

Directly indicates the harm or destruction that occurs.

take its pound of flesh

This phrase emphasizes the demanding or punitive nature of the consequence.

have adverse effects

Focuses on the negative or harmful outcomes resulting from the situation.

inflict a cost

Highlights the monetary or resource-related expense incurred.

have repercussions

Focuses on the after-effects and consequences of an action.

leave its mark

Focuses on the lasting impact or impression resulting from the situation.

demand a sacrifice

Emphasizes the need to give up something valuable to achieve a certain outcome.

impose a burden

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty caused by the action.

create difficulties

Points to the creation of problems or challenges as a result.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "exacts a toll"?

Saying something "exacts a toll" means it has a negative impact or consequence. It implies that there's a cost, burden, or damage resulting from a particular action, event, or situation. It suggests something is being paid, often unwillingly.

How can I use "exact a toll" in a sentence?

You might say, "The constant stress of the job began to "take a heavy toll" on her health", or "The war "had repercussions" on the country's economy, "imposing a burden" on future generations".

What are some alternatives to "exact a toll"?

Some alternatives include phrases like ""take a heavy toll"", "have repercussions", "impose a burden", or "inflict a cost". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "exact a toll" formal or informal language?

"Exact a toll" falls into the neutral to formal register. While understandable in most contexts, it's often used in more serious or analytical writing, such as news reports, academic papers, and business communications. More casual language might use simpler terms like "cause problems".