have been imposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been imposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been enforced or applied in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Example: "New regulations have been imposed to ensure safety in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spending cuts have been imposed, pensions have been made less generous, and taxes have gone up.

The Guardian - Business

Deadlines have been imposed and proved meaningless.

The New York Times

Some targeted tariffs have been imposed in recent months.

The New York Times

But no such requirements have been imposed so far.

The New York Times

Similar bans have been imposed in Boston, Chicago, & Philadelphia.

The New Yorker

But no sanctions have been imposed so far.

The Economist

Bans on shellfish have been imposed in some regions.

The New York Times

Emergency restrictions have been imposed across half the country.

The Economist

Drastic new penalties have been imposed for violating broadcasting laws.

The Economist

Passive, they have been imposed upon and have survived.

The New Yorker

"But the facts on the ground have been imposed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been imposed", ensure clarity about who or what is doing the imposing. Specifying the agent (e.g., "Sanctions have been imposed by the UN") enhances understanding.

Common error

Overusing passive voice can make your writing seem unclear or evasive. While "have been imposed" is grammatically sound, consider whether an active construction (e.g., "The government imposed new taxes") would be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been imposed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (imposing) has been performed on a subject. This usage is grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig. It often appears to describe rules, regulations, or sanctions that have been put into effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been imposed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. Primarily employed to communicate the implementation or enforcement of rules and regulations, this phrase appears most often in news, scientific and academic sources. While acceptable in most situations, writers should consider active voice alternatives for greater clarity and impact. The phrase is a versatile tool for conveying the presence of established rules, restrictions, or obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been enforced

Substitutes "imposed" with "enforced", highlighting the active execution of a rule or law.

have been applied

Uses "applied" instead of "imposed", focusing on the practical implementation or relevance of something.

have been enacted

Replaces "imposed" with "enacted", emphasizing the legislative or formal implementation aspect.

have been levied

Replaces "imposed" with "levied", which is often used in the context of taxes or fines.

were put in place

Offers a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the establishment of something.

have been decreed

Substitutes "imposed" with "decreed", suggesting an authoritative or official order.

have been dictated

Replaces "imposed" with "dictated", suggesting that something has been commanded with authority.

have been prescribed

Uses "prescribed" instead of "imposed", which is often used in the context of rules or procedures.

have been stipulated

Replaces "imposed" with "stipulated", which implies something has been specified as a condition or requirement.

have been charged

Uses "charged" instead of "imposed", specifically related to fees or responsibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "have been imposed" in a sentence?

You can use "have been imposed" to indicate that certain rules, restrictions, or sanctions have been put into effect. For example: "New safety regulations "have been imposed" in the factory."

What are some alternatives to "have been imposed"?

Alternatives include "have been enacted", "have been enforced", or "have been applied" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been imposed"?

While grammatically correct, using active voice may sometimes be clearer. Instead of "Restrictions "have been imposed"", consider "The council imposed restrictions" to specify the actor.

What's the difference between "have been imposed" and "were put in place"?

"Have been imposed" suggests a more formal or authoritative action, while "were put in place" ( "were put in place" ) is a more general way of saying something was established or implemented.