to impose order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to impose order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of establishing structure, organization, or control in a situation or environment. Example: "The new manager aimed to impose order on the chaotic office environment to improve productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, the regulators need to impose order.

The New York Times

You have to impose order on chaos.

The New York Times - Magazine

Straus was in no hurry to impose order.

The New Yorker

She decided to get in first, to impose order.

The New Yorker

Supporters of a split state asked Delhi to impose order.

The Economist

He has tried to impose order – and has created chaos.

The Guardian - Books

Hence Mr Eizenstat's new campaign to impose order on sanctions.

The Economist

"I was trying to find ways to impose order in response to home difficulties.

The Guardian - Tech

With the world out of control, I was trying to impose order.

The New York Times - Tech

Whom else should he lean on in his struggle to impose order?

The New York Times

Government had neither the power nor the mandate to impose order on this chaotically growing industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of the phrase in close proximity within your writing. Varying your language will enhance readability and prevent your text from feeling repetitive.

Common error

Be mindful of the connotation of "to impose order", as it can sometimes suggest an authoritarian or forceful approach. In contexts where collaboration and consensus are valued, consider alternatives that emphasize cooperation, such as "to foster alignment" or "to cultivate understanding".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to impose order" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, often used as an infinitive of purpose or to express an intended action. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts where someone is actively trying to establish control or structure, and Ludwig AI considers it grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to impose order" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing the action of establishing control or structure. Ludwig AI validates its usability and correctness. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotation and alternatives should be carefully considered based on the context. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its use reflects a broad applicability across various domains. Remember to use alternatives to enhance your writing like "to establish control", "to enforce structure", or "to institute regulation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enforce structure

Focuses on the enforcement aspect of creating order.

to establish control

Emphasizes the aspect of gaining or having control.

to institute regulation

Highlights the implementation of rules or laws.

to bring about discipline

Focuses on instilling disciplined behavior.

to restore stability

Implies a return to a previous state of order.

to set up a framework

Emphasizes the creation of an organizational structure.

to lay down the law

Suggests a forceful and authoritative imposition of rules.

to get organized

Focuses on the act of organizing something in general.

to systematize operations

Implies the organization of a system of actions.

to normalize function

Focuses on the establishment of normal operations.

FAQs

How can I use "to impose order" in a sentence?

You can use "to impose order" to describe actions taken to establish control or structure, such as "The government sought "to impose order" after the riots" or "The manager tried "to impose order" on the disorganized team".

What are some alternatives to "to impose order"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to establish control", "to enforce structure", or "to institute regulation".

Is it better to say "to impose order" or "to create order"?

Both phrases are correct, but "to impose order" suggests a more forceful or authoritative action, whereas "to create order" implies a more general act of establishing structure.

What is the difference between "to impose order" and "to maintain order"?

"To impose order" refers to the initial act of establishing structure or control, while "to maintain order" refers to the ongoing effort of preserving an existing state of order.