impose a sanction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose a sanction" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to officially order or enforce a punishment or penalty for a violation or wrongdoing. Here are some examples of how it can be used in a sentence: 1. The government has decided to impose sanctions on the country, restricting trade and travel due to human rights violations. 2. The teacher warned the student that he would impose a sanction if he continued to disrupt the class. 3. The international community is urging the United Nations to impose sanctions on the country for its aggressive actions towards its neighbors. 4. The company has strict policies in place and will not hesitate to impose sanctions on employees who engage in unethical behavior. 5. The judge has the authority to impose sanctions on the lawyer if they do not comply with the court's rules and procedures. In all of these examples, "impose a sanction" is used to describe a formal or official action taken to punish or penalize someone or a group for their actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I mean, stop, look, and listen before you impose a sanction".

The Economist

"Stop, look and listen before you impose a sanction," he said.

The New York Times

Once again, the commission did not impose a sanction, but it made the new policy official and put broadcasters on notice there would be future penalties.

The New York Times

The new sanctions process will allow Ofcom impose a sanction against all Channel 3 regional licensees that broadcast material in breach of the code.

The Guardian

The judge said she was considering whether to impose a sanction, which lawyers say could be a modest fine or a letter to disciplinary officials.

The New York Times

US Soccer could yet impose a sanction that affects league play, but the league itself will prefer the lesser evil of inheriting rather than adjudicating any such decision.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"The disciplinary committee therefore imposed a sanction of a three-week playing suspension.

The Guardian - Sport

We have imposed a sanction which we consider fair and proportionate to what he did, while having due regard to the proper consideration of deterrence.

The Guardian - Sport

Kirsty McHugh, the chief executive of Employment Related Services Association, the representative body for the employment support sector, also called for an overhaul including the introduction of an "early warning" system which could be used at first offence rather than imposing a sanction.

The Guardian

"We have put RT on notice as a result of this breach and if RT breaches our due impartiality rules again we will consider taking further regulatory action, such as imposing a sanction".

The Guardian

Six months after the (hypothetical) benefit cut, the probability of taking up employment for a welfare recipient who is at risk of being sanctioned increases by about 58 percentage points (0.5802), when the welfare agency decides to increase the sanction rate from below to above the median level, thereby imposing a sanction on the individual.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or legal matters, using the phrase "impose a sanction" clearly communicates the act of applying penalties or restrictions as a consequence for specific actions or violations.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sanction", which refers to a penalty or restrictive measure, with approval or permission. Ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a punishment or restriction when using the phrase "impose a sanction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose a sanction" functions as a verb phrase where "impose" is the verb and "a sanction" is the object. It describes the action of officially enacting or applying a penalty or restrictive measure. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impose a sanction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in the context of news, science, and formal communications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys the official application of a penalty or restrictive measure. While alternatives like "apply a sanction" or "enforce a sanction" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. Writers should be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate usage, especially distinguishing it from related concepts like "lift a sanction". The phrase finds prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, solidifying its status as a standard and widely recognized expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply a sanction

Replaces "impose" with "apply", maintaining the meaning of putting a sanction into effect.

enforce a sanction

Substitutes "impose" with "enforce", highlighting the act of ensuring compliance with a sanction.

levy a sanction

Uses "levy" instead of "impose", indicating the formal imposition of a sanction.

place a sanction

Replaces "impose" with "place", offering a more general term for applying a sanction.

decree a sanction

Substitutes "impose" with "decree", emphasizing the authoritative nature of the sanction's imposition.

administer a sanction

Uses "administer" instead of "impose", focusing on the management and application of the sanction.

exact a penalty

Shifts focus from the sanction itself to the act of exacting a penalty, a related concept.

inflict a punishment

Replaces "impose a sanction" with "inflict a punishment", broadening the scope to any form of punitive action.

bring down a sanction

Replaces impose with bring down to refer to the action of starting a sanction process.

issue a sanction

Substitutes "impose" with "issue", indicating that a sanction is produced.

FAQs

How can I use "impose a sanction" in a sentence?

You can use "impose a sanction" to describe the act of officially enacting a penalty or restriction. For example, "The UN decided to "impose a sanction" on the country due to its human rights abuses".

What are some alternatives to "impose a sanction"?

Alternatives include "apply a sanction", "enforce a sanction", or "levy a sanction", which all convey a similar meaning of enacting a penalty.

Is it grammatically correct to say "impose of sanction"?

No, the correct phrasing is "impose a sanction". The word "of" is not needed and would make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "impose a sanction" and "lift a sanction"?

"Impose a sanction" means to enact a penalty or restriction, while "lift a sanction" means to remove or terminate an existing sanction, indicating a reversal of the punitive measure.