were imposed on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were imposed on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rules, restrictions, or obligations that have been placed upon someone or something. Example: "The new regulations were imposed on all businesses to ensure compliance with safety standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Restrictions were imposed on 29 more titles.

The New York Times

We defended ourselves against wars that were imposed on us.

The New Yorker

Will Straw says what conditions were imposed on Venables?

The Guardian

Cameron says transitional controls were imposed on Romanians and Bulgarians.

The Guardian

Any extant fines were imposed on people outside the community.

The Guardian

The surveillance guidelines were imposed on the F.B.I. in the 1970's.

The New York Times

Sanctions were imposed on Russia after the country annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014.

The Guardian

He said he saw a "potential for real problems" if penalties were imposed on "automatic pilot".

The New York Times

Billions of dollars of penalties were imposed on various European financial institutions.

The New Yorker

No additional financial penalties were imposed on Merrill in today's settlement of the government's criminal case.

The New York Times

The PPP arrangements for the tube were imposed on London despite overwhelming public opposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were imposed on", ensure that the subject receiving the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Restrictions were imposed", clarify: "Restrictions were imposed on travelers."

Common error

Avoid using "were imposed on" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "Sanctions were imposed on the country", consider "The government imposed sanctions on the country" if you want to emphasize the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were imposed on" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It typically connects a set of rules, restrictions or unwanted situations to a subject that experiences them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were imposed on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. It indicates that rules, restrictions, or obligations have been officially placed or forced upon someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its presence in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its reliability across various contexts, from formal news reporting to scientific discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject receiving the action and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Mastering its usage enhances both clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were enforced upon

Highlights the active application of rules or regulations.

were placed upon

Emphasizes the act of putting something onto someone, suggesting a burden or obligation.

were subjected to

Highlights the experience of undergoing something, often something unpleasant or restrictive.

were mandated for

Focuses on the official or legal requirement to do something.

were enacted upon

Stresses the formal process of implementing a rule or law.

were levied against

Specifically refers to the imposing of taxes, fees, or other charges.

were inflicted upon

Suggests that something negative or harmful was caused to be experienced.

were brought to bear on

Implies that something was applied with force or influence.

were saddled with

Indicates that someone was burdened with something, usually an obligation or responsibility.

were prescribed for

Highlights that something was officially recommended or required.

FAQs

How can I use "were imposed on" in a sentence?

You can use "were imposed on" to describe rules, restrictions, or burdens that have been applied to someone or something. For example, "New regulations "were imposed on" the industry."

What phrases are similar to "were imposed on"?

Similar phrases include "were placed upon", "were subjected to", and "were enforced upon", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were imposed on"?

While "were imposed on" is a passive construction, consider using the active voice when you want to emphasize the entity doing the imposing. For instance, instead of "Fines "were imposed on" them", you could say "The judge imposed fines on them."

What's the difference between "were imposed on" and "were subjected to"?

"Were imposed on" generally refers to rules or restrictions being applied, while ""were subjected to"" suggests undergoing something, often negative. For example, "Taxes "were imposed on" citizens", versus "They "were subjected to" harsh treatment."