impose a tax

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose a tax" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of levying a tax on individuals or entities by a government or authority. Example: "The government decided to impose a tax on sugary beverages to combat obesity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Impose a tax on plastic surgery?

The New York Times - Health

The central government cannot even impose a tax.

The New York Times

"The central banker can't impose a tax on me to save the Greek government.

The New York Times

(This fall, voters in California defeated ballot measures to impose a tax on sugary drinks).

The New York Times - Magazine

See articleHungary announced that it will impose a tax on internet usage.

The Economist

Voting to impose a tax surcharge to pay for war will affect far too many voters.

The New York Times

Another new idea is to impose a tax on electronic transactions.

The Economist

Surely no government would impose a tax large enough to replace that imposed by enforcement.

The Economist

Both liberal plans would impose a tax on financial transactions to raise revenues and discourage speculation.

The New York Times

And the way to do that is to impose a tax on all carbon emissions.

The Economist

need not be read to do more than impose a tax.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose a tax", clearly state who is imposing the tax and on what or whom the tax is being imposed for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "impose a tax" vaguely. Instead of saying "a tax was imposed", specify by whom and on whom/what it was imposed to ensure your writing is clear and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose a tax" functions as a verb phrase, with "impose" being the verb and "a tax" the direct object. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing the act of levying a tax by an authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose a tax" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of levying a tax by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic and formal business settings, the phrase conveys a neutral to professional tone. Alternative phrases like "levy a tax" or "introduce a tax" offer similar meanings, with subtle differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify who is imposing the tax and on what. The phrase's high frequency and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for discussing taxation policies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levy a tax

Uses "levy" instead of "impose", offering a direct synonym.

introduce a tax

Emphasizes the action of bringing a new tax into effect.

enact a tax

Focuses on the legal aspect of establishing a tax.

apply a tax

Highlights the implementation of a tax on something.

bring in a tax

Similar to "introduce a tax" but slightly more informal.

put a tax on

A more direct and straightforward way of saying the same thing.

establish a tax

Focuses on the creation and setting up of a new tax.

charge a tax

Highlights the act of billing or requiring payment of a tax.

demand a tax

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the tax.

exact a tax

Conveys a sense of forceful collection of a tax.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose a tax" to describe the action of a governing body levying a tax. For example, "The government decided to "impose a tax" on carbon emissions".

What's an alternative to "impose a tax"?

Alternatives include "levy a tax", "introduce a tax", or "enact a tax", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "levy a tax" or "impose a tax"?

Both "impose a tax" and "levy a tax" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "levy" might sound slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "introduce a tax" and "impose a tax"?

Introduce a tax typically refers to the initial act of proposing or establishing a new tax. "Impose a tax" refers to the actual action of levying or enforcing an existing or newly introduced tax.