tax the engine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tax the engine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to taxation, regulation, or environmental discussions regarding engines and their emissions. Example: "The government plans to tax the engine of all new vehicles to encourage manufacturers to produce more eco-friendly models."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If pirates were chasing us, the ship could hightail itself to safety at twenty or twenty-one knots, but that kind of velocity would tax the engine, squander fuel, and increase pollution.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A specialized navigation system taking tides, currents, wind and waves into account helped him and his crew chart a path that would tax the engines as little as possible.

The New York Times

Electric steering doesn't have the same feel as conventional hydraulic systems, but it taxes the engine less and therefore gives a slight nudge to the fuel-economy numbers.

The New York Times

Nearly a year after it suffered devastating losses to a banking system heavily exposed to Greece, Brussels has read the riot act to Cyprus: either the island accepts draconian rescue terms that include killing off its reputation as an offshore tax haven – the engine of its economy, along with tourism – or it goes under.

The Guardian

We need our elected officials to support our community and not allow the IRS to force another unfair tax on the engine of the middle-class economy.

Huffington Post

One day Mr. Bush is heralding his tax cuts as the engine that, as he told voters recently in Wisconsin, has lifted the nation into an economic recovery.

The New York Times

This Treasury cash cow of a tax impacts on the engine room of our economy, the UK haulage industry, with their predominant business cost ultimately affecting the level of all consumer product prices.

The Guardian

For PHEVs, the electric motor does not count towards the tax on engine power, only the combustion engine does, and the weight component is reduced by a benchmark 15% (as of 2014), so as to leave the weight of the battery pack out of the tax base.

European Transport Research Review

For PHEVs, the electric motor does not count towards the tax on engine power, only the combustion engine does, and the weight component is reduced by a benchmark 15%% (as of 2014), so as to leave the weight of the battery pack out of the calculation.

European Transport Research Review

If taxes didn't juice the engine of growth on the way down, there is little reason to fear they will stall it on the way back up.

The New York Times

More fuel-efficient cars mean less revenue from fuel taxes, which have been the engine of the old pave-as-you-go model.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental policies, use "tax the engine" to succinctly convey the idea of taxing vehicles based on engine characteristics or emissions. For example, "The government plans to "tax the engine" of all new vehicles to encourage manufacturers to produce more eco-friendly models."

Common error

Avoid using "tax the engine" when you mean to generally discuss economic activity or burdening a system. This phrase is most appropriate when specifically referring to literal engines or policies directly impacting them. Instead, consider broader terms like "burden the economy" or "strain the system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tax the engine" functions as a verb phrase, where "tax" acts as a transitive verb and "the engine" is its direct object. It describes the action of imposing a tax or burden on an engine, often in a figurative sense, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tax the engine" is a grammatically sound phrase that implies placing a burden or financial imposition on a core driver or source of power. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and general discussions related to economic or environmental policies. Although not extremely common, its meaning is generally clear and understandable. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning, and consider more formal alternatives like "impose a levy on the engine" in academic or business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a tax on the engine

Rephrases to emphasize the act of placing a tax.

apply a tax to the engine

Similar to 'place a tax', but uses 'apply' for a slightly different nuance.

charge a tax on the engine

Focuses on the act of charging or billing for a tax.

implement a tax on the engine

Emphasizes the act of putting a tax into effect.

burden the engine

Replaces "tax" with "burden", focusing on the strain imposed.

strain the engine

Substitutes "tax" with "strain", highlighting the stress placed on the engine.

impose a levy on the engine

Uses more formal language, replacing "tax" with "levy".

assess a tax on the engine

Replaces "tax" with "assess", indicating an official evaluation for taxation.

increase taxes on engines

Focuses on the action of increasing existing taxes.

levy a duty on the engine

Uses "duty" instead of "tax", implying a customs or excise tax.

FAQs

What does it mean to "tax the engine" in an economic context?

In an economic context, to "tax the engine" implies imposing a financial burden or levy on the core component driving a particular sector or activity, potentially affecting its efficiency or output. For example, one might say that high fuel taxes "tax the engine" of the transportation industry.

How can I use "tax the engine" in a sentence about environmental policy?

You can use "tax the engine" to describe policies that impose taxes or regulations on vehicles based on engine size or emissions, aiming to promote more environmentally friendly alternatives. For instance, "The government decided to "tax the engine" of high-emission vehicles to encourage the adoption of electric cars."

Are there alternative ways to say "tax the engine" that might be clearer in certain situations?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "place a tax on the engine", "burden the engine", or "strain the engine" to convey a similar meaning with greater clarity.

Is "tax the engine" a common phrase in formal writing?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "tax the engine" might be more suitable for news articles or general discussions rather than highly formal academic or business writing. More formal alternatives like "impose a levy on the engine" could be preferred in those contexts.