impose hardship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose hardship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that create difficulties or challenges for individuals or groups. Example: "The new regulations may impose hardship on small businesses struggling to comply with the increased requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Regev said the policy was to avoid contact with the Hamas government, while trying not to impose hardship on ordinary Palestinians.

The New York Times

While the delay does not cost the taxpayers more, it does impose hardship on localities, particularly school districts that need to know the amount of state money to expect so that they can determine their own budgets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sanctions are possible, but they won't impose hardships the North hasn't seen before.

The New York Times

The Act may impose hardships here and there; the incidence of hardship may shift in location and intensity.

Cornell University

We have many questions and deep reservations about the spending cuts in the plan, which could impose hardships on some of the most vulnerable groups.

The New York Times

Service cuts would impose hardships on many of them, and would leave some with no affordable way to travel, Mayor Glacken said at the hearing.

The New York Times

Robert Wieboldt, the executive vice president of the Long Island Builders Institute, said the moratorium would impose hardships on owners who had already made plans to expand or build houses.

The New York Times

Because such taxes make the economy more efficient, it makes no sense to object that they impose hardships on low-income families.

The New York Times

The survey by Elizabeth Marquardt and Norval D. Glenn stresses that even amicable divorces impose hardships on children not experienced by those from intact families.

The New York Times

"The uncertainty of the current circumstances puts the rest of our workforce in a difficult situation, and should a lapse occur, it could impose hardships on many employees," Riojas wrote.

The Washington Post

"While concessions on price will impose hardships on our industry, we are hopeful that over the long run we will be able to continue to supply the United States with what are acknowledged to be the best tomatoes in the market," Mr. Ley said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose hardship", be specific about who or what is being affected and the nature of the hardship. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Hardship was imposed." Instead, use an active voice to clearly identify the actor: "The policy changes impose hardship on families."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose hardship" functions as a verb phrase, where "impose" is the verb and "hardship" is the noun acting as the object. It describes the act of causing or inflicting difficulty, suffering, or disadvantage. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose hardship" is a versatile expression used to describe actions or policies that cause difficulties or suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "cause difficulty" or "inflict suffering" exist, "impose hardship" offers a balanced tone suitable for various professional settings. When using the phrase, clarity and specificity about the affected parties enhance its impact. Avoiding passive voice can also strengthen your writing. This makes the phrase an effective tool for expressing concern or criticism in a clear and impactful manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause difficulty

Focuses on the creation of problems, a slightly more general term than specific suffering.

inflict suffering

Emphasizes the act of causing pain or distress, suggesting a more severe impact.

create adversity

Highlights the introduction of challenging circumstances or misfortune.

place burdens

Stresses the act of adding weight or responsibility, implying a heavy load.

exact a toll

Suggests a negative impact or cost, often in terms of damage or loss.

generate problems

Concentrates on producing difficulties or issues, more clinical and impersonal.

precipitate difficulties

Focuses on causing problems suddenly or unexpectedly, often implying a chain of events.

bring about suffering

Highlights the action of causing pain or distress to come into existence.

visit tribulations upon

Emphasizes the act of causing trials or suffering, often with a sense of inflicting a test.

wreak havoc

Highlights widespread damage or destruction, implying a chaotic or disruptive impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose hardship" to describe actions or policies that cause difficulty or suffering, like: "The new taxes will "impose hardship" on low-income families".

What can I say instead of "impose hardship"?

You can use alternatives like "cause difficulty", "inflict suffering", or "create adversity" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "impose hardship on" or "impose a hardship on"?

While both are grammatically correct, "impose hardship on" is more common and generally preferred because it refers to hardship in a general, non-countable sense. "Impose a hardship on" suggests a specific, countable instance of hardship.

What's the difference between "impose hardship" and "face hardship"?

"Impose hardship" means to cause or inflict difficulties, while "face hardship" means to experience or confront difficulties. They describe opposite sides of the same situation.