we were imposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were imposed" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is likely intended to convey that something was forced upon the subject, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "We were imposed upon by the new regulations that limited our activities."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We were imposed from on high, which meant we had to do it, but I'm pleased it happened that way," said Blackie, in true glass-half-full style.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were constantly feeling guilty about hardships we were imposing on each other and our children.

The New York Times

Commentators worry about our interfering with local affairs, as though we were imposing our values on a large population of Libyans who actually like Qaddafi.

The New Yorker

My parents had always said we'd be welcome, and we'd joked about it, but it was depressing – I felt as if we were imposing, and that we'd failed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While we were imposing the embargo against Cuba, our country took a very different approach to other communist countries like China and Viet Nam.

Huffington Post

But, we are his parents and we make the decisions as to where he will go to school... despite the obvious pain that we were imposing on him and a tearful face that could sway most anyone.

Huffington Post

We're imposing our will on opponents".

The New York Times - Sports

It was just announced that we are imposing this tax.

The New York Times

"It suggests we're imposing something on the music".

The Guardian - Music

"We are imposing a new reality on the Israeli occupation," said Salah Bardawil, a Hamas spokesman.

The New York Times

Wouldn't we be imposing a no-fly zone, or even invading?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "we were imposed". Instead, use more grammatically correct and clearer alternatives like "we were subjected to" or "it was imposed on us".

Common error

The phrase "we were imposed" often results from an attempt to use passive voice, but it's structurally incorrect. Ensure the passive construction is complete and grammatically sound by rephrasing the sentence to clarify what action was taken and by whom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were imposed" is an incorrect attempt at using the passive voice. It aims to convey that the subject ("") was made to endure something, but lacks grammatical validity. As Ludwig AI points out, it is better to use alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were imposed" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is more appropriate to use alternatives such as "we were subjected to", "it was imposed on us", or "we were forced to". While the intended meaning is to convey being burdened or restricted, the incorrect usage undermines the message's clarity and credibility. The examples from Ludwig primarily appear in news and media contexts, suggesting an attempt at neutral reporting, yet the grammatical error detracts from professional communication. Remember to use the correct form to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were subjected to

Replaces "imposed" with a more standard term indicating being made to experience something.

we were forced to

Indicates being compelled to do something against one's will.

it was imposed upon us

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize what was imposed.

we faced

A more general term indicating dealing with a difficult situation.

we encountered

Suggests unexpectedly experiencing something, often negative.

we underwent

Indicates going through a process or experience, often transformative.

we were burdened with

Emphasizes the negative aspect of bearing something difficult.

we were afflicted by

Suggests being negatively affected by something harmful.

we were saddled with

Implies being given an unwanted responsibility or problem.

we were hit with

A more informal way to describe suddenly experiencing something negative.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "imposed"?

To "impose" means to force something to be accepted or put in place. When something is imposed on someone, it means they are made to accept or follow it, whether they want to or not. The correct form is "it was imposed on us".

What is a correct alternative to "we were imposed"?

Instead of "we were imposed", you can say "we were subjected to", "it was imposed on us", or "we were forced to", depending on the context and what you are trying to express.

Is "we were imposed" grammatically correct?

No, "we were imposed" is not grammatically correct. A correct construction would be "it was imposed on us", or using a different verb altogether such as "we were subjected to" or "we were forced to".

How can I use "imposed" correctly in a sentence?

Use "imposed" with "on". For example, "The new rules were imposed on the students". You can also use the active voice: "The school imposed new rules on the students".