impose suffering on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose suffering on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of causing pain or hardship to someone or something, often in a context of power dynamics or moral discussions. Example: "The tyrant sought to impose suffering on his people through oppressive laws and harsh punishments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We need some justification for having the government impose suffering on others, presumably.

Huffington Post

These measures should be significant enough to bear real consequences for the Cuban government, while being careful not to impose suffering on the Cuban population as a whole, Human Rights Watch said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The stern taskmasters of the IMF are coming to Britain, to demand that the government live it up and spend more; the government, defiantly, will insist on continuing to impose suffering.

The New York Times

It is, instead, the victory of an orthodoxy that has little to do with rational analysis, whose main tenet is that imposing suffering on other people is how you show leadership in tough times.

The New York Times

Richard is a character who deals with being born "deformed, half-finished, sent before my time into this breathing world scarce half made up" by vengefully imposing suffering on others.

The Guardian - Sport

Given the normal moral presumptions against imposing suffering on others, it may be necessary to show that without suffering censure cannot be fully or properly communicated.

SEP

But we'd never consider imposing suffering and death in this context.

Vice

The good news, if it can be called that, is that a barrage of negative economic data appears to have stirred European leaders and senior officials at the International Monetary Fund into finally acknowledging that the Continent's austerity policies are imposing unnecessary pain and suffering on average Europeans while doing little to lower debts and deficits.

The New York Times

Not for much longer, if he continues to impose needless suffering on his people with his muddled economics.

The Economist

There is also increasing awareness that even methods of execution considered relatively humane impose considerable suffering on the condemned.

The New York Times

Refusing to expand Medicaid would impose huge suffering on lots of poor people, and kill some of them; for people like Jan Brewer, that's a plus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose suffering on", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is causing the suffering and who or what is experiencing it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "impose suffering on" in contexts where the suffering is exaggerated or the agent causing it is unclear, as it can detract from the credibility of your writing. Instead, opt for more specific and nuanced language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose suffering on" functions as a verb phrase, where "impose" is the verb and "suffering on" acts as its object. It describes the action of causing pain, hardship, or distress to someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose suffering on" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the action of causing pain or hardship. While not extremely common, its usage spans across news and media, scientific, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly indicate the cause and recipient of the suffering. Alternatives such as "inflict suffering on" or "cause suffering to" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Avoid overuse in sensationalist contexts to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict suffering on

Replaces "impose" with "inflict", suggesting a more direct and forceful application of suffering.

cause suffering to

Uses "cause" to indicate the action leads to suffering, changing the verb but keeping the core meaning.

bring hardship upon

Shifts the focus to "hardship", implying difficulties and deprivation are imposed.

visit affliction upon

Employs "affliction", suggesting a state of pain or distress is brought upon someone.

subject to misery

Highlights the state of "misery" as the result of the action, changing the verb structure.

force pain upon

Focuses on the aspect of "pain" being forcibly applied.

create distress for

Indicates the act of generating "distress", a state of anxiety or suffering.

exact a toll of suffering

Uses "exact a toll", suggesting suffering is a price or consequence.

lay burden upon

Emphasizes the imposition of a "burden", implying a heavy load of suffering.

cause agony to

Highlights the creation of "agony", an intense form of suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose suffering on" to describe actions that cause pain or hardship to others. For example, "The dictator sought to impose suffering on his people through oppressive laws."

What phrases are similar to "impose suffering on"?

Similar phrases include "inflict suffering on", "cause suffering to", or "bring hardship upon", each with slight variations in emphasis.

Is "impose suffering on" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "impose suffering on" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing moral, ethical, or political issues where the causation of suffering is a central theme.

What's the difference between "impose suffering on" and "cause suffering to"?

"Impose suffering on" suggests a more deliberate or forceful action, whereas "cause suffering to" is a more general term for something that leads to suffering. The choice depends on the specific context and the intent you want to convey.