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

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

官方強制執行某項規則、法律、稅收或懲罰，要求人們遵守

Example

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

Common collocations
  • impose a ban
  • impose sanctions
  • impose a tax
  • impose a fine
  • impose restrictions
  • impose a curfew
Synonyms
  • enforce

    focuses on making sure a rule is followed, not just putting it in place

  • levy

    used specifically for taxes, fines, or fees; highly formal

  • decree

    implies a direct order from an authority, often without discussion

Antonyms
  • lift

    to remove a restriction or rule that had been imposed

  • abolish

    to formally put an end to a system, rule, or tax

Grammar Patterns

impose + noun (rule/tax/sanction) + on/upon + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently passive: 'A new tax was imposed on imported goods.' Subject is usually an authority (government, court, council).

Common Mistakes

The school imposed the students a new uniform rule.
The school imposed a new uniform rule on the students.
The object being imposed comes first, followed by 'on/upon' and the target.

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

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

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

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • impose one's views
  • impose one's beliefs
  • impose one's values
  • impose a system
  • impose a lifestyle
Synonyms
  • foist

    stronger negative tone; implies trickery or deception

  • force upon

    more direct but less formal; used in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • respect

    to accept someone's right to have different beliefs

Grammar Patterns

impose + one's ideas/beliefs/views + on/upon + someone

Usage Note

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

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

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

Example

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...

Common collocations
  • impose on someone
  • impose on someone's time
  • impose on someone's hospitality
  • impose on someone's generosity
Synonyms
  • take advantage of

    stronger accusation; implies deliberate unfairness

  • burden

    more direct; used when the favour is quite heavy

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

impose on/upon + someone

impose on + someone's + noun (time/hospitality/kindness)

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I hope I don't impose you.
I hope I don't impose on you.
This sense always requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon.'

4. 迫使他人承受困難、痛苦或不愉快的情況或責任

4.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

迫使他人承受困難、痛苦或不愉快的情況或責任

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • impose a burden
  • impose hardship
  • impose suffering
  • impose conditions
  • impose constraints
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • relieve

    to remove or reduce a burden that someone is carrying

Grammar Patterns

impose + something difficult/unpleasant + on/upon + someone

Usage Note

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.