imposed a charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imposed a charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a fee or cost is being assigned or enforced, often in legal, financial, or regulatory discussions. Example: "The city council imposed a charge for parking in the downtown area to manage congestion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

8.26pm BST James Ball, the Guardian's data editor, writes that "the Obama administration didn't merely go through the motions" in pursuit of Bradley Manning; military authorities "imposed a charge that should have sparked far greater alarm than it did".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Most domestic airlines now operate with a meticulously calibrated system aimed at imposing a charge for each degree of misery you choose to eliminate.

The New York Times

"We will introduce legislation to impose a charge on them if we have not seen sufficient progress on a voluntary basis".

The Guardian

On Sunday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Labor Party government disclosed the details of its carbon tax, which would impose a charge of 23 dollars on each metric ton of carbon emissions a company produced.

The New York Times

The government plans to impose a charge for any property company conversions into property investment funds, and there could be large up-front tax costs for companies setting up a fund, said Clare Hartnell, a tax partner at accountants Grant Thornton.

The Guardian - Business

Labour will seek to beef up its pitch to voters on immigration with a pledge to pay for 1,000 extra border guards by imposing a charge on visitors from the US and 55 other countries.

The Guardian

High street retailers have been given a year to cut down on the number of plastic bags they hand out to customers or face legislation that will force them to impose a charge on every bag they give away.

The Guardian

As we'll discuss in future questions in this series, this imposes a charge on the emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to the corresponding potential cost caused through future climate change.

The Guardian

Southwest, which has both low fares and short flights, is imposing a charge of $2 on flights up to 600 miles, $6 for 600 to 900 miles and $8 for longer flights.

The New York Times - Travel

Reviews of the merits of freedom of information requests were previously available free of charge through the freedom of information commissioner, but this will be moved back to the administrative appeals tribunal, which is likely to impose a charge of more than $800.

The Guardian

A Kenneth Jacobs, a Yonkers co-op lawyer who also has offices in Manhattan, said that if the proprietary lease permits the co-op to impose a charge of up to 10percentt of net profit on a sale, the board clearly has the power to charge the maximum allowable percentage when it chooses to, even if it chooses to do so on every sale, and even if some boards in Manhattan charge 2percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imposed a charge", ensure the context clearly indicates who is imposing the charge and on whom or what it is being imposed. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "imposed a charge" in casual conversations. It's a formal phrase best suited for official, legal, or business contexts. Use more conversational alternatives like "charged" or "added a fee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imposed a charge" functions as a verb phrase, where "imposed" is the verb indicating the action of assigning a fee or cost, and "a charge" is the noun phrase representing what is being assigned. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imposed a charge" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of assigning a fee or cost, typically by an authority. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's best suited for formal or professional contexts like news reports, legal documents, or business communications. Alternatives like "levied a fee" or "charged a fee" can offer varying degrees of formality and specificity. When writing, ensure the context clearly identifies who is assigning the charge and consider the appropriate register to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levied a fee

This alternative suggests a formal or official assessment of a charge.

applied a tariff

This is often used in the context of international trade or customs duties.

assessed a cost

This phrase emphasizes the evaluation or determination of the charge.

placed a levy

This alternative implies a mandatory charge, often for a specific purpose.

exacted a payment

This suggests a forceful or demanding collection of a charge.

introduced a tax

This specifically refers to a charge levied by a government.

stipulated a price

Implies setting a price as a condition or requirement.

demanded remuneration

This highlights the right to payment for services or goods.

charged a rate

This is a more neutral term for setting a cost.

decreed a fine

This specifically refers to a charge as a penalty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "imposed a charge" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "levied a fee" or "assessed a cost". These alternatives often appear in legal or official contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "imposed a charge"?

Use "imposed a charge" when discussing a formal or official action of assigning a cost or fee, typically by an authority or organization. For example, a government might impose a charge on carbon emissions.

What's a less formal way to say "imposed a charge"?

In less formal settings, use simpler terms like "charged a fee" or "added a cost". These alternatives are suitable for everyday conversations.

What is the difference between "imposed a charge" and "levied a charge"?

While both phrases are similar, "levied a charge" often implies a formal or official assessment, particularly in the context of taxes or duties. "Imposed a charge" is slightly broader and can apply to various situations where a cost is assigned.