impose a ban

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose a ban" is correct and can be used in written English.
It could be used as a way of saying that a ban is being put in place. For example, "The company imposed a ban on the use of plastics in their packaging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They might even have to impose a ban on exchanges owning clearing and settlement organisations.

The Economist

Bills now in the Assembly and Senate would impose a ban in 10 years.

The New York Times

France would become the second country in Europe to impose a ban, after Belgium.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the hearing, the 15-member Tournament Players Committee can then either reprimand Saltman or impose a ban.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't expect the University of Derby's student union to impose a ban (other than for it being completely rubbish).

The Guardian - Music

Belgium's lower house has approved a similar measure and Spain Senate recently narrowly voted to impose a ban too.

The Economist

The National Park Service agreed Monday to let Grand Canyon National Park impose a ban on small, disposable water containers.

The New York Times - Science

Ofsted has supported Fenn's decision, but it admits, despite Wilshaw's views, it has no powers itself to impose a ban.

The Guardian

If Congress wants to impose a ban or moratorium, it should be aimed solely at reproductive cloning.

The New York Times

Officially they say, hey, we need a law that shows the world that we impose a ban.

The Guardian

Philip Hammond vowed to impose a ban on what he called "rip-off" letting agency fees for renters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose a ban", clearly state what is being banned and the scope of the ban to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The city council imposed a ban on single-use plastic bags in all retail stores."

Common error

Avoid using "impose a ban" without specifying the target. For example, instead of saying "The government imposed a ban", clarify it to "The government imposed a ban on the import of certain agricultural products."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose a ban" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of officially enacting a restriction or prohibition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impose a ban" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of officially enacting a prohibition or restriction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and possesses a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of the ban is clearly defined. Alternative phrases include "enforce a ban" or "introduce a ban". Remember to avoid vagueness by explicitly stating the target of the ban.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enforce a ban

Focuses on the active enforcement of an existing ban, rather than the initial act of establishing it.

introduce a ban

Emphasizes the initial presentation or implementation of a new ban.

bring in a ban

Similar to 'introduce a ban', but slightly more informal in tone.

put a ban in place

Highlights the act of making a ban operational or effective.

order a ban

Suggests a command or formal directive to establish a ban.

establish a ban

Emphasizes the creation and formalization of a new ban.

institute a prohibition

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "impose a ban", using the word 'prohibition'.

legislate a ban

Specifically refers to creating a ban through legislative action.

effect a ban

Focuses on the successful implementation and execution of a ban.

sanction a ban

Suggests giving official approval or authorization to a ban.

FAQs

What does "impose a ban" mean?

The phrase "impose a ban" means to officially establish or enact a prohibition or restriction on something. It implies a formal action taken to prevent or limit a specific activity or item.

What are some alternatives to "impose a ban"?

You can use alternatives like "enforce a ban", "introduce a ban", or "establish a ban" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "placed a ban" instead of "impose a ban"?

While "placed a ban" is understandable, "impose a ban" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct. "Placed a ban" is more colloquial.

How is "impose a ban" different from "lift a ban"?

"Impose a ban" means to create or enact a ban, while "lift a ban" means to remove or cancel an existing ban. They are opposite actions.