impose
impose — verb
1. 官方強制執行某項規則、法律、稅收或懲罰,要求人們遵守
官方強制執行某項規則、法律、稅收或懲罰,要求人們遵守
The city council imposed a ban on single-use plastic bags across all supermarkets.
collocation: impose a ban on something
The judge imposed a heavy fine on the construction company for safety violations.
collocation: impose a fine on someone
Last year the national government imposed stricter rules on data privacy for tech firms.
The United Nations imposed economic sanctions on the country after the failed election.
文法句型
impose + noun (rule/tax/sanction) + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently passive: 'A new tax was imposed on imported goods.' Subject is usually an authority (government, court, council).
常見錯誤
2. 強迫他人接受自己的想法、信仰或生活方式,即使對方並不贊同
強迫他人接受自己的想法、信仰或生活方式,即使對方並不贊同
Colonial powers often imposed their language and religion on the people they ruled.
pattern: impose + abstract noun (language/religion) + on + group
Minho's parents never tried to impose their career choices on him when he grew up.
The school tried to impose a strict dress code that many students thought was unfair.
Wren felt uncomfortable when her roommate tried to impose her eating habits on the household.
- foist
stronger negative tone; implies trickery or deception
- force upon
more direct but less formal; used in everyday speech
- respect
to accept someone's right to have different beliefs
文法句型
impose + one's ideas/beliefs/views + on/upon + someone
用法筆記
Often carries a negative connotation of forcing something unwanted. Object is typically a belief, value, opinion, or way of life.
3. 不合理地要求他人花時間或力氣幫忙,或打擾對方造成不便
不合理地要求他人花時間或力氣幫忙,或打擾對方造成不便
Christopher did not want to impose on his friend's hospitality by staying another week.
collocation: impose on someone's hospitality
Would I be imposing if I asked you for a ride to the train station?
polite question form: Would I be imposing if...
Zayd felt terrible for imposing on his elderly neighbor to watch his dog every weekend.
Nila never wanted to impose on colleagues by asking them to stay late.
- take advantage of
stronger accusation; implies deliberate unfairness
- burden
more direct; used when the favour is quite heavy
- accommodate
to willingly help without feeling put-upon
文法句型
impose on/upon + someone
impose on + someone's + noun (time/hospitality/kindness)
用法筆記
Commonly used in polite requests: 'I hope I'm not imposing, but…' Typically used in the pattern 'impose on/upon + person.' Not followed by a direct object.
常見錯誤
4. 迫使他人承受困難、痛苦或不愉快的情況或責任
迫使他人承受困難、痛苦或不愉快的情況或責任
The new regulations imposed an enormous paperwork burden on small business owners.
collocation: impose a burden on someone
Abigail did not want to impose her money worries on her friends during dinner.
Years of civil war imposed terrible suffering on the civilians of the region.
The bank imposed strict repayment conditions on the small business loan.
- inflict
more violent tone; focuses on pain or injury
- subject someone to
emphasises having to experience something unpleasant
- relieve
to remove or reduce a burden that someone is carrying
文法句型
impose + something difficult/unpleasant + on/upon + someone
用法筆記
The object is something unwanted or painful (burden, suffering, hardship, strain). Distinguish from sense 2 (ideas/beliefs) where the object is a viewpoint or value.