impose regulations

USAGE SUMMARY

"impose regulations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain that a certain set of rules or guidelines has been put in place, usually by a government or organization. For example: In response to the rising spread of the virus, the government imposed regulations to limit public gatherings to 10 people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Kerry administration "would ask Congress to legislate standards and to direct the Federal Trade Commission and bank regulators to impose regulations consistent with those standards," Mr. Sperling said.

The New York Times

And in addition to regulating previously unregulated investment instruments, Washington must impose regulations on equally unregulated hedge funds.

The New York Times

However, there appears little appetite in Congress to impose regulations on Silicon Valley, and instead, companies like Facebook are allowed to self-regulate.

Vice

Moreover, many departments impose regulations that have costs for businesses but benefits for individuals.

The Washington Post

California, Florida and Texas have been considering legislation that would impose regulations on drop-off stores.

The New York Times - Tech

If local landmarks commissions could not impose regulations, at least owners moving out could protect the architecture.

The New York Times - Arts

Instances where states have attempted to impose regulations, meanwhile, are remarkably inconsistent, and usually left up to the producer's discretion.

Harvard University

They can't insist to the public that they must remain unregulated, while trying to impose regulations on one another".

The Guardian - Tech

America should build on this success, rather than allow the E.P.A. to impose regulations that will force more plant shutdowns in an important industry.

The New York Times

While agreeing to the exemption, Senate Democrats offered a proposal that would make it easier for the trade commission to impose regulations on dealers.

The New York Times

"It's the only industry on earth that is clamoring for the U.S. government to impose regulations," says Bradley Cole, an online poker player in Oxford, Miss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "impose". It can suggest a top-down approach. If a more collaborative tone is desired, consider alternatives like "establish" or "develop" regulations.

Common error

Avoid using "impose regulations" without specifying what is being regulated. For example, instead of writing "The committee will impose regulations", specify "The committee will impose regulations on data privacy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose regulations" functions as a verb phrase where "impose" is the verb and "regulations" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies the action of a governing body establishing a set of mandatory rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose regulations" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of establishing rules or laws, usually by a governing body. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and indicates it is suitable for explaining the implementation of rules or guidelines. It's frequently found in news reports, academic papers, and formal business communications. While the phrase itself is neutral, the verb "impose" can sometimes suggest a top-down or authoritative approach. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the context and intended tone. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is vital to specify the subject of the regulation to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enact legislation

Focuses on the legislative aspect of creating rules.

establish rules

Emphasizes the creation and setting up of rules.

enforce laws

Highlights the act of ensuring laws are followed.

institute controls

Suggests implementing systems to manage or limit certain activities.

apply restrictions

Focuses on limiting actions through specific rules.

legislate standards

Specifically refers to creating standards through legal processes.

dictate terms

Implies a more forceful and less negotiable setting of rules.

lay down rules

Suggests a clear and definitive establishment of rules.

prescribe guidelines

Focuses on providing specific instructions or recommendations.

mandate compliance

Emphasizes the required adherence to specific rules or laws.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose regulations" to describe the act of a governing body setting rules. For example, "The government decided to "impose regulations" on the banking sector after the financial crisis."

What's the difference between "impose regulations" and "establish guidelines"?

"Impose regulations" suggests a more forceful, top-down approach to setting rules, while "establish guidelines" implies a more collaborative or advisory approach. The first is more of a command, the second is more of a recommendation.

What are some alternatives to "impose regulations"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "enact legislation", "establish rules", or "enforce laws" to convey similar meanings.

Who typically has the authority to "impose regulations"?

Typically, government bodies, regulatory agencies, or organizations with established authority have the power to "impose regulations" within their respective domains.