to be imposed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be imposed upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being taken advantage of or subjected to something against their will. Example: "I felt that I was being imposed upon by my colleagues who expected me to do their work for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Among other things, the prayer asked for deliverance "from the evil of forced religious worship now sought to be imposed upon the people by the actions of misguided, weak and stupid politicians".

The New York Times

"Iraqis don't want to be imposed upon by a huge U.N. tribunal bureaucracy," said Sermid an-Sarraf, an Iraqi exile who took part in the State Department's planning for postwar Iraqi justice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet wherever the prospect of universal health insurance has been considered, it has been widely attacked as a Bolshevik fantasy a coercive system to be imposed upon people by benighted socialist master planners.

The New Yorker

Thus, Woodrow Wilson in 1901, the high noon of imperialism, confidently proclaiming "the universal world of commerce," could say that "the East is to be opened and transformed" and "the standards of the West are to be imposed upon it".

The New York Times

Yet wherever the prospect of universal health insurance has been considered, it has been widely attacked as a Bolshevik fantasy — a coercive system to be imposed upon people by benighted socialist master planners.

The New Yorker

Accompanying Prime Minister David Lloyd George to France as an economic adviser, Keynes was troubled by the political chicanery and burdensome policies that were to be imposed upon the defeated Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

As a result of this argument the jury would have been asked to judge whether the offending scene in the play was an act of gross indecency - a duty which the Theatres Act sought to ensure would never be imposed upon them.

The Guardian

The tech itself that NHS trusts and clinical commissioners can choose to buy will not be imposed upon them from above.

TechCrunch

The prospect of debt restructuring may prove to be an important incentive for countries to accept a temporary exit from the euro (which according to the Maastricht Treaty cannot be imposed upon them).

The New York Times

Now, I always thought my father the greatest man in the world, and able to whip any one, for he could whip me, and he had told me always to behave myself, but not be imposed upon.

The New York Times

In the order issued on Monday, Duffin outlined numerous conditions to be imposed on Dassey upon his release and pending the effort by Wisconsin's attorney general to appeal against the judge's decision to overturn his conviction.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be imposed upon" when you want to emphasize that something is being forced or inflicted on someone or something, often against their will or without their consent. It suggests a lack of agency or choice.

Common error

Avoid using "to be imposed upon" when the subject willingly accepts the condition or action. This phrase indicates a lack of consent or control. For example, don't use it if someone voluntarily takes on extra work; instead, use "to accept" or "to undertake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be imposed upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being burdened or subjected to something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to convey a sense of external pressure or lack of agency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be imposed upon" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that conveys the idea of something being forced or inflicted on someone. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears across diverse contexts, from news articles and scientific publications to encyclopedias, with a neutral register. While it's considered grammatically correct, one should be mindful of the nuance it conveys—a lack of consent or control—and avoid using it when the subject willingly accepts the action. Alternatives like "to be subjected to" or "to be burdened with" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase's commonality and broad usage make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing specific nuances of coercion or unwanted burden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be forced to accept

Highlights the lack of choice in the acceptance of something.

to be subjected to

Focuses on the act of experiencing something, often negative, without necessarily implying force.

to be burdened with

Highlights the weight or difficulty associated with what is being placed upon someone.

to be saddled with

Emphasizes the unwanted or unwelcome nature of what is being placed upon someone.

to be made to bear

Focuses on the act of carrying a burden, whether physical or metaphorical.

to be compelled to endure

Stresses the obligation and perseverance required in facing something.

to be dictated to

Emphasizes the controlling aspect of an external force or entity.

to be overridden by

Highlights the displacement or nullification of one thing by another.

to be at the mercy of

Focuses on being vulnerable and dependent on an external force.

to be a victim of

Highlights the negative impact of something, focusing on harm or damage.

FAQs

How can I use "to be imposed upon" in a sentence?

Use "to be imposed upon" to describe a situation where something is being forced or inflicted on someone or something else. For example: 'The new regulations were "imposed upon" the industry without prior consultation'.

What's a more concise way to say "to be imposed upon"?

Depending on the context, you could use shorter alternatives like "to be subjected to", "to be burdened with", or "to be forced upon".

Is it correct to say "to be impose upon" instead of "to be imposed upon"?

No, "to be impose upon" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "to be imposed upon", using the past participle form of the verb 'impose'.

What's the difference between "to be imposed upon" and "to be influenced by"?

"To be imposed upon" implies a lack of consent or control, suggesting something is forced on someone. "To be influenced by" simply means that something has had an effect on someone's thoughts or actions, without necessarily implying coercion.