impose stress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose stress" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of causing someone or something to experience stress, strain, or pressure. For example, "The deadline the boss set imposed a lot of stress on the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The sovereign debt crisis makes it harder for regulators and political leaders to impose stress on institutions with new requirements.

The New York Times

He is particularly interested in plant interactions with the abiotic environment — water, temperature, nutrients, and light — and how plants respond when these factors impose stress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Introduction of a new biosynthetic pathway typically requires the expression of multiple heterologous enzymes in the production host, which can impose stress on the host cell and, thereby, limit performance of the pathway.

Stanford University

As Mr Cai and his colleagues wrote presciently last year, the turn "enhances the labourers' right to speak in the labourer-employer negotiation because labourers can impose stress on employers through voting with [their] feet".

The Economist

In addition, minimum weight formulations analyze more usual statements from a practical point of view in engineering since they reduce the cost of the structure and impose stress constraints.

Computers & Structures

Normal and off-normal operation of hydrogen handling equipment and facilities can impose stress cycles causing inelastic straining at the tips of sharp notches and crack-like defects, which can initiate and drive crack growth.

Gaseous Hydrogen Embrittlement of Materials in Energy Technologies Mechanisms, Modelling and Future Developments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The imposed stress increased erosive wear of coatings.

Vacuum

All are hard and strong and fail by brittle fracture under an imposed stress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These imposed stress histories act as proxies for a weathering history.

Geomorphology

Shear stress, force tending to cause deformation of a material by slippage along a plane or planes parallel to the imposed stress.

Britannica

All imposed stress levels are below the yield stress of austenite and ferrite in the temperature range of the transformation.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like policies or regulations, use "impose stress" to highlight the potential negative impact on individuals or systems.

Common error

Avoid using "impose stress" when the source of stress is inherent to a situation, rather than actively applied. For example, instead of saying "the situation imposed stress", consider "the situation was stressful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose stress" functions as a verb phrase where 'impose' is a transitive verb taking 'stress' as its direct object. This construction describes the act of causing or applying pressure, strain, or tension to something or someone, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

22%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impose stress" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of causing pressure or strain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable across various contexts. While it appears most frequently in scientific and news media, its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for a wide range of discussions. When using this phrase, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and whether alternative phrases like ""apply pressure"" or ""place strain"" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

add pressure

Indicates an incremental increase in existing strain.

apply pressure

This alternative suggests a more direct and forceful application of strain.

exert pressure

Similar to "apply pressure" but can imply a more subtle or persistent force.

place strain

Focuses on the exertion of force that causes deformation or wear.

generate strain

Focuses on the creation or production of stress.

inflict strain

Suggests a deliberate or forceful act of causing stress.

put a burden on

Emphasizes the negative impact of carrying a heavy load.

create tension

Highlights the generation of a strained relationship or situation.

put at risk

Emphasizes the potential for harm or damage due to the pressure.

cause difficulty

A more general term indicating the creation of problems or obstacles.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose stress" to describe something that causes strain or pressure on a person, system, or object. For example, "The new regulations will "impose stress" on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "impose stress"?

Some alternatives include "apply pressure", "place strain", or "exert pressure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "impose stress" or "create stress"?

"Impose stress" suggests a more direct and potentially unwanted application of pressure, while "create stress" is a more neutral term. The best choice depends on the context and the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "impose stress" and "be under stress"?

"Impose stress" describes the act of causing stress, while "be under stress" describes the state of experiencing stress. For example, "The workload will "impose stress" on employees", leading them to "be under stress".