impose on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is taking advantage of another person's kindness or resources. Example: "I don't want to impose on you, but could you help me with this project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Business was deemed too distasteful a subject to impose on students seeking wisdom and enlightenment.

Forbes

In this excerpt, Duque notes the limits that regional drought-prone conditions impose on growth.

Environmental Management

The effort to institute justice is one of several restrictions that we might impose on tyrannicide.

The New York Times

"What did we impose on you?

The New York Times

"I can't impose on someone.

The Guardian - Film

Did Bill Clinton impose on Moynihan?

The New York Times - Books

I'm really sorry to impose on you.

The New Yorker

"It's something we impose on them".

The Guardian

"Nobody can impose on us a government".

The New York Times

Some of them, we'll want to impose on a system.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

§ 30.61 What penalties does the Secretary impose on delinquent debtors?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose on", consider the connotation. If you want to express consideration for others, phrase your request carefully to show you are aware of the potential burden.

Common error

Be mindful of the context. Using "impose on" when a simple request is made can make you sound overly formal or insincere. In less formal situations, consider using direct and polite requests without the "impose" phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose on" functions as a verb phrase, where "impose" is the verb and "on" is a preposition. It typically indicates the act of placing a burden, obligation, or unwelcome situation onto someone or something. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

33%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impose on" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe placing a burden or obligation on someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the implications of potentially burdening someone when using this phrase. For alternatives, consider "take advantage of" or "burden someone with", but choose based on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of

Suggests exploiting someone's kindness or resources, highlighting the negative aspect of burdening them.

burden someone with

Emphasizes the act of placing a heavy load or responsibility on someone.

put upon

Indicates causing inconvenience or trouble to someone.

inflict upon

Implies causing something unpleasant or unwanted to be experienced by someone.

force upon

Highlights the act of compelling someone to accept something against their will.

pressurize into

Focuses on applying pressure to influence someone's decision or action.

subject to

Denotes making someone or something undergo a particular experience or treatment, often negative.

place a strain on

Suggests causing stress or difficulty for someone or something.

saddle with

Implies burdening someone with an unwanted responsibility or problem.

encumber with

Emphasizes hindering or impeding someone with a burden.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose on" to express concern about burdening someone, as in, "I hope I'm not going to "impose on" you, but I need some assistance." It indicates awareness of a potential inconvenience to the other person.

What are some alternatives to using "impose on"?

Alternatives include "burden someone with", "take advantage of", or "put upon", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each alternative carries a slightly different connotation regarding the degree and nature of the burden.

Is it more appropriate to say "impose on" or "inflict on"?

"Impose on" generally refers to burdening someone with a request or task, while "inflict on" suggests causing something unpleasant. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a burden or something harmful.

What's the difference between "impose on" and "force upon"?

"Impose on" implies a degree of consent or negotiation, even if reluctant, while "force upon" suggests compelling someone to accept something against their will. The latter indicates a lack of choice or agreement.