Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
shall be imposed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(16)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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
No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.
News & Media
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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".
Wiki
As we shall see, more constraints may have to be imposed, if for instance the flow in the pipe is required to be laminar.
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.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
will be enforced
Emphasizes the active enforcement of a rule or law.
must be applied
Highlights the mandatory nature of the application of a rule or standard.
is to be levied
Specifically refers to the imposition of taxes or fees.
will be required
Focuses on the necessity of something being done.
is set to be enacted
Implies a future event that is planned or scheduled to occur.
is bound to happen
Highlights the inevitability of an event or consequence.
will undoubtedly occur
Stresses the certainty of an event taking place.
is slated for implementation
Indicates a planned and scheduled implementation of something.
is prescribed
Refers to something that is officially recommended or required.
mandated action
This highlights the enforced action that should be undertaken.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested