impose restraints

USAGE SUMMARY

"impose restraints" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the notion of "placing limits or restrictions" on something. For example, "The government imposed strict restraints on public gatherings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19."

✓ Grammatically correct

Offshore Electrical Engineering Manual

The New York Times - Tech

The New York Times

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Books

The New York Times

The Economist

Cornell University

Cornell University

The Guardian

The Guardian

The New York Times

Encyclopedia Britannica

Forbes

Huffington Post

Huffington Post

Huffington Post

eLife

BBC

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New Yorker

The New York Times

The Economist

The New York Times

Encyclopedia Britannica

Duke University

Huffington Post

Huffington Post

ACS Chemical Biology

BMC Systems Biology

The New Yorker

The New York Times

Advances in Chemical Engineering

Science Magazine

Harvard University

The New York Times

Engineering Structures

The New York Times

The New York Times

European Transport Research Review

Los Angeles Times

Huffington Post

The New York Times

Cornell University

Engineering Structures

The New York Times

The New York Times - Books

Huffington Post

The Washington Post

The Washington Post

The New York Times

Forbes

Los Angeles Times

Huffington Post

The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The weight and space limitations of an offshore installation impose restraints on electrical equipment installed.

Offshore Electrical Engineering Manual

But while the booming economy has brought in money that has benefited artists, it could also impose restraints.

The New York Times - Tech

Panicked, stressed parents are struggling to explain and impose restraints, just when teenagers are expecting more spending money, not less.

The New York Times

Only such a document could properly entrench the rights of citizens and impose restraints on their masters.

The Guardian - Opinion

When we know we're being watched, we impose restraints on our behaviour – even clearly innocent activities – just as surely as if we were ordered to do so.

The Guardian - Books

Q May a condominium board use a simple majority vote to impose restraints on the sale or leasing of individual units?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In 2010, in an attempt to impose restraint, the government named 172 civil servants earning more than the prime minister's £142,500 salary.

BBC

Man is born into society, which imposes restraints on him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It imposed restraints on the power politics that had nearly destroyed the world.

The New Yorker

The commission has been as ineffectual as Ms. Reno in investigating abuses and imposing restraints on the parties.

The New York Times

When small, economical and reliable Japanese cars started to eat into Detroit's market share, the American government imposed restraints on those imports.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose restraints", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being restricted and the rationale behind it.

Common error

Avoid using "impose restraints" without specifying on whom or what the restraints are being imposed. For example, instead of saying "Restraints were imposed", specify "The government imposed restraints on imports".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose restraints" functions as a verb phrase, where "impose" is the main verb and "restraints" is the direct object. It describes the act of applying limitations or restrictions. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys the placing of limits or restrictions on something. The Ludwig examples illustrate varied subjects and applications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

16.666666666666668%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8.333333333333332%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impose restraints" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the action of setting limits or restrictions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for expressing the notion of placing restrictions. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with reasonable representation in academic and scientific writing, making it a versatile phrase for expressing limitations across diverse subjects. While it is not an extremely common phrase, it is readily understood and provides a clear way to express the application of limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place limitations

This alternative shifts the focus to the action of 'placing' limits rather than 'imposing' them, softening the tone slightly.

enforce restrictions

Using 'enforce' emphasizes the act of making sure restrictions are followed, adding a layer of authority.

apply constraints

'Apply' suggests a more deliberate and methodical implementation of constraints.

institute limitations

'Institute' implies a more formal and official establishment of limitations.

set boundaries

This alternative focuses on defining the limits rather than enforcing them, suitable for interpersonal or less formal contexts.

establish controls

'Establish' suggests setting up a system of controls, implying a more organized approach.

put a ceiling on

This phrase introduces a metaphorical upper limit, typically used for quantities or values.

curb excesses

This focuses on limiting overindulgence or extreme behavior, implying a need for moderation.

check excesses

Similar to 'curb excesses', but highlights monitoring and preventing extreme behavior.

regulate behavior

This alternative suggests a broader effort to govern actions through rules and guidelines.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose restraints" to describe the act of setting limits or restrictions on someone or something. For instance, "The new law will "impose restraints" on corporate spending".

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

Alternatives to "impose restraints" include phrases such as "place limitations", "enforce restrictions", or "apply constraints", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "impose restraints on"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "impose restraints on". The "on" preposition is used to indicate the object or entity that is being limited or restricted. For example, "The company decided to "impose restraints on" travel expenses".

What is the difference between "impose restraints" and "exercise control"?

"Impose restraints" specifically refers to setting limits or restrictions, while "exercise control" refers to having and using power or authority. While there can be overlap, "exercise control" is broader and doesn't necessarily involve setting specific limits. "Imposing restraints" is one way to exercise control.