impose expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of placing demands or standards on someone or something. Example: "Teachers should be careful not to impose expectations on their students that are too high to achieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Let's leave the shoulds behind and do our best not to dictate or impose expectations when it comes to the experience of being sad - a hug and a box of kleenex will do.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I try my best not to impose expectation onto a play, but rather to listen and discover what will best release its most authentic and powerful self onstage".

The New York Times

In other words, once companies invest in innovative projects, the corporate leadership expects returns on investment in ever shorter periods to meet externally imposed expectations.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

They recognise that women have suffered and continue to suffer important disadvantages relative to men, within education as in other fields: women are the victims of exclusion and deprivation and domination, constrained by imposed expectations, judged as less intelligent and less deserving, and afflicted by manufactured deficits of confidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second factor presents high values for tradition and conformity and can, therefore, be identified with the dimension of 'conservation', which expresses respect for traditions and the priority of harmony in relations that imply subordinating the self to socially imposed expectations.

Agricultural and Food Economics

She works to capture a burgeoning subculture in China, which, according to a description of her work, "defies imposed expectations".

Huffington Post

Overall, CNTs can be viewed as a revolutionary tool that will advance the practice of medicine, imposing expectations that biomaterials will be the main field of application of CNTs.

Chemical Reviews

We should be wary of trying to impose the expectations of the past, our own expectations, onto the educations of the future.

The Guardian - Books

Alter Your Expectations and Don't Make Assumptions -- In any relationship, we can start to impose certain expectations on our friends that set us up to feel hurt or disappointed.

Huffington Post

For example, would cloning impose unfair expectations on a child?

The Economist

Taylor will report back to Theresa May next year on modern employment practices and says he is concerned about businesses which "impose the expectations and obligations of employees but, by defining workers as self-employed, deny them their due rights".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose expectations", ensure it's clear who is imposing the expectations and on whom, to avoid ambiguity. Context is important for understanding the power dynamics at play.

Common error

Avoid using "impose expectations" without specifying who is doing the imposing. A sentence like "Expectations were imposed" leaves the reader wondering who set those expectations and why. Always clarify the source of the expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose expectations" functions as a verb phrase where "impose" is the verb indicating the action of setting or enforcing, and "expectations" is the noun representing the standards or demands being set. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose expectations" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the act of setting or enforcing standards and demands, Ludwig AI confirms. While often neutral, it can carry a connotation of forcefulness. It's crucial to provide context by specifying who is imposing the expectations and on whom. Alternatives like "set standards" or "place demands" can offer a more nuanced approach depending on the intended meaning. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, signifying its broad applicability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set standards

Focuses on establishing a benchmark or level of quality, performance, or achievement.

place demands

Highlights the act of requiring specific actions or performance from someone.

lay down requirements

Emphasizes the official or formal establishment of necessary conditions.

dictate terms

Suggests a controlling or authoritative manner of setting conditions.

prescribe norms

Focuses on establishing socially accepted behaviors or standards.

enforce criteria

Highlights the active application and maintenance of specific requirements.

mandate guidelines

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the imposed directives.

institute regulations

Focuses on formally establishing rules and procedures.

establish benchmarks

Highlights the use of reference points for measuring performance or achievement.

formulate principles

Focuses on creating fundamental rules or beliefs that serve as a basis for action.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose expectations" to describe the act of setting or forcing standards on someone or something. For example, "Teachers should be careful not to impose expectations on their students that are too high to achieve."

What's a good alternative to "impose expectations"?

Alternatives to "impose expectations" include "set standards", "place demands", or "lay down requirements" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to "impose expectations"?

Not necessarily. While "impose expectations" can suggest a forceful or unwanted imposition, it can also refer to setting necessary standards for performance or behavior. The context determines the connotation.

What is the difference between "impose expectations" and "set expectations"?

"Impose expectations" often implies a more forceful or potentially unwanted action, whereas "set expectations" is generally seen as more neutral and collaborative.