is imposed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is imposed upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is forced or placed upon someone or something, often in a negative context. Example: "The new regulations are imposed upon all businesses, regardless of their size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because such indeed is the necessity that is imposed upon me".

The Guardian - Arts

Care is a deep, pervasive cultural norm that is imposed upon what is noticed and noticeable to others.

Landscape and Urban Planning

According the artists, the fluorescent light was meant to signify the invasion of data privacy and surveillance that is imposed upon our lives.

The Guardian - Tech

-- a ban on red meat?" don't recognize the difference between what people do to themselves and what is imposed upon others.

The New York Times

The Iraqis don't wish war but if war is imposed upon them - if they are attacked and insulted - they will defend themselves.

The Guardian

"While we are making progress, we are also facing the significant threat of terrorism that is imposed upon us and on the Afghan people," he said.

The New York Times

(3) The act, considered as a whole, clearly negatives the idea that a burden is imposed upon interstate commerce, as the court below held.

Cornell University

The duty is imposed upon the officers of the government, not upon him.' 14 That duty is owing to the Government and to no one else.

Cornell University

And the tax is imposed upon all dog owners, without regard to the question whether their particular dogs are responsible for the loss of sheep.

Cornell University

If a contract is imposed upon us, it will be the death knell for an institution we hold very dear to our hearts.

Independent

Cathodic protection is a means whereby cathodic polarity is imposed upon the whole pile, and its operation as an anode (with consequent deterioration) is prevented.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract entities, consider alternatives like "applies to" or "affects" to avoid personifying the entity that is imposing.

Common error

Avoid using "impose upon" in the active voice when the subject is inanimate. For example, instead of "The rule imposes upon the students", a better phrasing would be "The rule is imposed upon the students" or "The rule applies to the students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is imposed upon" functions as a passive construction indicating that something (a rule, burden, restriction) is being applied or forced onto someone or something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is imposed upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates something is being applied or forced onto someone or something else. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Academia contexts, as shown by Ludwig's extensive examples. While "is imposed upon" can sometimes suggest a slightly more formal tone, it effectively conveys a sense of external force or obligation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatically sound structure and widespread applicability across diverse writing domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is placed on

Emphasizes the act of putting something onto something else, often implying a burden or requirement.

is forced on

Highlights the lack of choice and the forceful nature of the action.

is subjected to

Indicates that someone or something is made to experience something, often unpleasant.

is inflicted on

Suggests that something harmful or negative is being caused.

is mandated for

Implies an official requirement or order.

is required of

Focuses on what is expected or necessary from someone.

is incumbent upon

A more formal way of saying that something is a duty or responsibility.

is thrust upon

Implies something is suddenly or unexpectedly forced onto someone.

is saddled with

Indicates being burdened with something undesirable.

is decreed by

Suggests that an authoritative decision or order has been made.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is imposed upon" to sound less formal?

You can use phrases like "is put on", "is forced on", or "is subjected to" to achieve a less formal tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "is imposed on" and "is imposed upon"?

The phrases "is imposed on" and "is imposed upon" are largely interchangeable and have similar meanings. "Is imposed upon" can sometimes feel slightly more formal or emphatic.

When is it appropriate to use "is imposed upon" in a sentence?

"Is imposed upon" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a burden, rule, or constraint is being applied externally, often against the will of the subject. For instance, "The new tax "is imposed upon" all citizens".

Are there situations where "is placed on" is a better alternative than "is imposed upon"?

Yes, "is placed on" might be preferable when emphasizing the act of putting something, like a physical object or a requirement, onto something else. It's generally less forceful and can be used in more neutral contexts.