tariff

USAGE SUMMARY

'tariff' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun, and refers to a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports. Example sentence: The government has imposed a 5% tariff on all imported goods this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The whole-life tariff is against all principles of international law as it denies any possibility of reform of rehabilitation," says Bhatt Murphy's Simon Creighton, the solicitor representing the prisoners at the European court.

The Guardian

Sir Leon Brittan, the then home secretary, imposed a whole-life tariff on Hutchinson for the murder and rape of the Laitner family in Sheffield in September 1983.

The Guardian

In response to the decision, Bamber said: "I am the only person in the UK who was [retrospectively] given a life tariff on a majority verdict that maintains innocence.

The Guardian

I did say that I was going to investigate whether we're on the right tariff, but I haven't quite got round to that yet!

The Guardian

The serial killer's latest attempt to have his "whole life" tariff overturned was rejected by court of appeal judges.

The Guardian

A high court judge ruled last year that Sutcliffe, who killed 13 women, must serve a "whole life" tariff.

The Guardian

Yeo suggests abolishing the floor price for carbon, introducing a new tariff system under which people would be guaranteed a certain amount of energy at a lower price, and then have to pay more when they pass the limit, and opening up the National Grid to competition.

The Guardian - Money

First Utility last week became the cheapest energy company in the country with its internet iSave tariff, undercutting British Gas.

The Guardian - Money

Perhaps his strongest argument against the whole-life tariff came in a disturbing letter he wrote a few months later.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The sector could divide between those institutions that plan to expand (particularly smaller institutions, alternative providers and those that have lost out from the high-tariff policy) and those looking to maintain their current status (typically older and more traditional institutions).

The Guardian

Belarus is to join Russia and Kazakhstan in a tariff-free trade union from January 2015, but Shushkevich is sceptical, seeing the move as more of a political demarche by Moscow than a project with compelling economic promise.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tariff" in its proper context to refer to government-imposed duties on goods. If referring to other types of fees or charges, use more appropriate terms like 'fee', 'rate', or 'charge'.

Common error

Avoid using "tariff" to describe general pricing or fees unrelated to international trade. "Tariff" specifically relates to duties on imported or exported goods, so terms like 'price', 'cost', or 'charge' are more suitable for other contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "tariff" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a tax or duty imposed on imported or exported goods. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used. It can also function as a verb, meaning to levy a duty on something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tariff" is a grammatically sound noun that can also function as a verb, primarily related to taxes on international trade. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and high frequency. It appears most often in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When writing about tariffs, be clear about the type of tariff and avoid using it for general pricing. The most relevant alternatives are "duty", "excise" and "customs duty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

customs duty

A specific type of tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders.

import tax

A tax specifically applied to goods that are imported into a country.

export tax

A tax specifically applied to goods that are exported from a country.

duty

Refers to a tax levied by a government on imports or exports; similar to tariff but can also apply to other types of taxes.

excise

A tax levied on specific goods or services produced or consumed within a country, often used interchangeably but more specific to internal taxes.

levy

An imposition or collection of a tax, fee, or fine; broader than tariff, which specifically relates to international trade.

charge

The price asked for goods or services; tariff specifically refers to government-imposed fees on trade.

rate

A standard or proportion; tariff refers to a specific type of rate imposed on traded goods.

tax

A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

fee

A payment made to a professional person or to a public body in exchange for advice or services.

FAQs

How is "tariff" used in international trade discussions?

In international trade, "tariff" typically refers to a tax or duty imposed by a government on imported or exported goods. It's often a key point of negotiation in trade agreements and can significantly affect the price of goods.

What are some synonyms for "tariff" in the context of trade?

In trade contexts, you can use synonyms like "duty", "levy", or "customs duty" to refer to taxes on imports or exports. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "tariff" and a general "tax"?

While both are forms of taxation, "tariff" specifically applies to taxes on goods crossing international borders (imports and exports). A general "tax" can be levied on various activities, income, or goods/services within a country.

Is "tariff" applicable to services or only goods?

"Tariff" primarily applies to tangible goods. While trade in services can be restricted or regulated, the term "tariff" is not typically used in that context. Non-tariff barriers, such as "regulations", are more common for services.