impose upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'impose upon' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is taking advantage of you or making excessive demands on you. For example, you can say: "My boss keeps trying to impose upon me by making me work late every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's not something that the M.T.A. can impose upon a community".

The New York Times

Whatever restraints the demands of office impose upon him, Mr Hague is not naive.

Independent

A flip tax, he explained, is a charge that some co-ops impose upon the sale of an apartment.

The New York Times

Shakespeare is too elusive to conform to the pattern that Hughes and Sagar seek to impose upon him.

The Guardian - Books

Supernatural creatures are, after all, creatures, and we infer from them, or impose upon them, all kinds of biological characteristics.

The New Yorker

What if they had remained resolutely wild, refusing the domestic kinship humans tried to impose upon them?

The New York Times

The photographers, clucking & capering until their victims smiled, were able to impose upon them a dreadful fixed gaiety.

The New Yorker

The definitions of the war which our government has sought to impose upon the world have changed over the years.

The New Yorker

"We cannot expect to impose upon this world a set of rules, a set of regulations, a set of expectations".

The New York Times

But human beings have a remarkable talent for getting around rules including the rules they try to impose upon themselves.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even the town's most progressive white residents feel imposed upon by these advancements.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose upon", ensure it accurately reflects the power dynamic or the act of burdening someone unfairly. It's often more effective when the context clearly demonstrates the imposition.

Common error

While "impose upon" is generally acceptable, in very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "burden" or "take advantage of" might be more appropriate to avoid sounding overly formal or stiff.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose upon" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used transitively to describe the action of taking advantage of someone or forcing something unwanted onto them. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "impose upon" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of taking advantage of someone or forcing something unwanted upon them. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While generally neutral to formal, be mindful of the specific context when choosing between "impose upon" and simpler alternatives like "burden" or "take advantage of", especially in informal settings. To use it effectively, always ensure clarity about the power dynamics or the unfairness of the demand. Top sources using "impose upon" include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put upon

A more direct and slightly old-fashioned synonym for "impose upon", indicating taking advantage of someone's generosity or willingness.

take advantage of

This alternative suggests exploiting someone or something for personal gain, similar to unduly burdening someone with requests or demands.

burden someone with

This phrase emphasizes the act of placing a heavy load or responsibility on someone, akin to making excessive demands.

place a burden on

Similar to "burden someone with", this phrase underscores the act of adding weight or difficulty to someone's life.

encroach on

This implies intruding or trespassing on someone's space, time, or rights, which can be seen as a form of imposing.

inflict upon

This suggests causing something unpleasant to be experienced by someone, similar to imposing unwanted rules or conditions.

force upon

Highlights the act of compelling someone to accept something against their will, akin to imposing a decision or belief.

pressurize into

Emphasizes the act of coercing or influencing someone to do something, which can be a way of imposing one's will.

dictate to

Implies commanding or ordering someone, reflecting a form of imposition through authority.

strong-arm into

Suggests using force or pressure to make someone do something, highlighting a more aggressive form of imposing.

FAQs

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

You can use "impose upon" to describe situations where someone is taking advantage of another person or placing an unfair burden on them. For example, "I don't want to "impose upon" your generosity, but I could really use a ride to the airport".

What does "impose upon" mean?

"Impose upon" means to take unfair advantage of someone's kindness or willingness to help, or to force something unwanted on them.

Are there any synonyms for "impose upon"?

Yes, there are several synonyms for "impose upon", including "take advantage of", "burden someone with", or "encroach on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "impose on" or "impose upon"?

While both "impose on" and "impose upon" are grammatically correct, "impose upon" often carries a slightly stronger sense of taking advantage or causing inconvenience. The choice between them often depends on the nuance you wish to convey.