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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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shall be imposed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be imposed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something will happen as a deliberate consequence of a certain action, situation, or event. For example: "If the regulations are not followed, a fine shall be imposed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

For example, the new law says those penalties "shall" be imposed, not "must be".

News & Media

The New York Times

No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.

News & Media

The New Yorker

3) Rule 42 – Charging A minor or major penalty shall be imposed on a player who skates or jumps into, or charges an opponent in any manner.

News & Media

The New York Times

Rule 45.3 – Major Penalty A major penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who uses his elbow to foul an opponent.

News & Media

The New York Times

And the 1923 Lausanne treaty states clearly that "no restrictions shall be imposed on the free use…of any language".Turkey's regional problems go beyond the Kurdish question.

News & Media

The Economist

That amendment, which legislative aides said was backed by Morgan Stanley, stated that no law, rule, regulation, order, administrative action, judgment, consent order or settlement agreement shall be imposed by any state on people subject to S.E.C. rules.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

These versions are all equivalent to one another in ZFC but we shall be imposing a definability constraint and in this case there can be interesting differences (our discussion follows Martin (1976)).

Science

SEP

What is giving Mr. Cullen his 11th-hour leverage is New Jersey's criminal procedure rule 3 21-4 3 21-4hich says, "Sentence shall not be imposed unless the defendant is present or has filed a whichen waiver of the right to be presays".

News & Media

The New York Times

Also, capital punishment and life imprisonment without possibility of release shall not be imposed for offences committed by children. 5. Every child has the right to be treated with dignity and compassion.

Formal & Business

Unicef

After Sweetback received an X rating from the Motion Picture Association of America, inspiring the advertising tagline "Rated X by an all-white jury", and a theater in Boston cut nine minutes out of the film, Van Peebles stated, "Should the rest of the community submit to your censorship that is its business, but White standards shall no longer be imposed on the Black community".

As we shall see, more constraints may have to be imposed, if for instance the flow in the pipe is required to be laminar.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be imposed" in formal or legal contexts when stating a mandatory action or consequence. This phrasing is common in contracts, regulations, and official documents where clarity and authority are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be imposed" in casual writing or everyday conversation. The phrase sounds overly formal and can make your writing seem stilted or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "will be" or "must be" in less formal situations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

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Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be imposed" functions as a passive construction indicating a future action that is obligatory or mandatory. It is commonly used in legal and formal contexts to express that a penalty, rule, or consequence will be enforced. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and the example sentences provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be imposed" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's a passive construction used to express a mandatory or obligatory action, most commonly found in formal, legal, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it is best suited for situations where a strong sense of authority and compliance is needed. Although interchangeable with alternatives such as "will be enforced", "must be applied", and "is to be levied", using the most appropriate depends on nuances in formality and specific context. With that said, this phrase is well-suited for business, news, scientific, and academic areas.

FAQs

How to use "shall be imposed" in a sentence?

Use "shall be imposed" to indicate a mandatory action or consequence, typically in legal or formal contexts. For example, "A fine "shall be imposed" for violations of the policy."

What can I say instead of "shall be imposed"?

Alternatives include "will be enforced", "must be applied", or "is to be levied" depending on the specific context. The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "shall be imposed" or "will be imposed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "shall be imposed" carries a stronger sense of obligation or legal requirement, making it more appropriate for formal and legal documents. "Will be imposed" is more common in general usage.

What is the difference between "shall be imposed" and "should be imposed"?

"Shall be imposed" indicates a mandate or requirement, while "should be imposed" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The former implies a definite action, while the latter leaves room for discretion.

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Most frequent sentences: