imposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'imposition' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a tax, levy, or duty imposed, or to describe the action of imposing something, such as a rule or a condition. For example: "The government is imposing a new tax on luxury items".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A huge part of Gillard's unpopularity lies in her imposition of a carbon emissions tax on Australia's largest polluters, a tax she promised not to introduce and which the opposition has pledged to repeal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain made great play of the imposition of EU sanctions on the Syrian purchasing oil from the group on behalf of Bashar al-Assad.

The Guardian

Last week saw a reportedly "intense" meeting at the central bank's Frankfurt headquarters as some countries lobbied for the imposition of tougher conditions.

The Guardian - Business

Dunbar says that societies with a tradition of lifelong coupledom do so only because of "imposition by religions, particularly the Abrahamic ones".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Surprisingly, he voted to uphold whole-life sentences in England and Wales – surprising because, three years earlier, in another case at the European court, he had said: "I consider that the time has come when the court should clearly affirm that the imposition of an irreducible life sentence, even on an adult offender, is in principle inconsistent with article three of the convention".

The Guardian

After his mother died, Ben would continually run from the imposition of authority.

The Guardian

This last, unexpected imposition was a consequence of the decision to remove all level-crossings from the old Waverley line on the grounds of safety.

The Guardian

On Monday, the Financial Times reported that Greece was poised to take the dramatic step of declaring a debt default – a move that would almost certainly lead to the closure of Greek banks and imposition of capital controls – citing an unnamed official as saying the cash-starved country had "reached the end of the road".

The Guardian - Business

Their import was ended, however, by the imposition of duties and a flood of cheap fabric – cheaper even than poorly paid Bengali artisans could provide – from the new steam mills of northern England and lowland Scotland that conquered the Indian as well the British market.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unrest in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions has hit Russian activity in New York, while wealthy Chinese residents seek safe havens for their cash and a base for their children to get an education in the west, the article says.

The Guardian

With the imposition of Euro-American marriage laws, same-sex marriages between two-spirit people and their spouses were no longer legally recognised.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing laws or regulations, use "imposition" to accurately describe the act of putting them into effect. This term is especially useful when you want to convey a sense of authority or obligation.

Common error

While "imposition" is appropriate for formal scenarios, consider using less forceful alternatives like "request" or "suggestion" in casual conversation to avoid sounding overly authoritarian.

Linguistic Context

The noun "imposition" primarily functions to denote the act of imposing something, such as a rule, tax, or burden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid term in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in phrases like "the imposition of sanctions" or "the imposition of a fine".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imposition" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the act of imposing something, typically with a sense of authority or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and real-world examples highlight its presence in news, business, and academic contexts. When using "imposition", consider the formality of the setting and choose appropriate alternatives for casual conversation. The word's semantic range includes concepts like "levying", "enforcement", and "mandating", allowing for nuanced expression. Overall, understanding the function, purpose, and register of "imposition" can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levying

Focuses specifically on the act of imposing taxes, fees, or fines.

enforcement

Highlights the act of compelling obedience to a law or rule.

mandating

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the act of requiring something.

application

Refers to the putting into operation or enforcing of laws or policies.

prescription

Implies a rule or direction that must be followed, often in a formal setting.

exaction

Suggests a demanding or forceful imposing of something, often taxes or payments.

decree

Indicates an official order issued by a legal authority.

laying down

Emphasizes the act of establishing or declaring a rule or condition.

establishment

Focuses on setting up or creating something, such as a rule or a system.

stipulation

Highlights a condition or requirement that is specified or demanded as part of an agreement.

FAQs

How is the word "imposition" typically used in a sentence?

The word "imposition" is typically used to describe the act of enforcing a rule, tax, or burden. For example, "The "imposition of sanctions"" or "the "imposition of a fine"".

What are some alternatives to the word "imposition"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "imposition" include "levying", "enforcement", "mandating", or "application".

Is it more appropriate to say "the imposition of rules" or "the enforcement of rules"?

Both "imposition of rules" and "enforcement of rules" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Imposition" emphasizes the act of establishing the rules, while "enforcement" focuses on the act of making sure the rules are followed.

What does "imposition" mean in the context of art or printing?

In the context of printing, "imposition" refers to the arrangement of pages on a printer's sheet so that they appear in the correct order after the sheet is folded and cut. In art, it can refer to the act of placing or superimposing one element onto another.