9 Grammatical Pitfalls


[im-pohz] /ɪmˈpoʊz/
verb (used with object), imposed, imposing.
to impose taxes.
to put or set by or as if by authority:
to impose one's personal preference on others.
to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively:
He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
verb (used without object), imposed, imposing.
to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others:
Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
Verb phrases
impose on/upon,
  1. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
  2. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
  3. to defraud; cheat; deceive:
    A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.
Origin of impose
late Middle English
1475-85; late Middle English < Middle French imposer, equivalent to im- im-1 + poser to pose1; see also pose2
Related forms
imposable, adjective
imposer, noun
overimpose, verb (used with object), overimposed, overimposing.
preimpose, verb (used with object), preimposed, preimposing.
reimpose, verb, reimposed, reimposing.
subimposed, adjective
unimposed, adjective
well-imposed, adjective
3. force, foist. Unabridged
Cite This Source
British Dictionary definitions for impose on


verb usually foll by on or upon
(transitive) to establish as something to be obeyed or complied with; enforce: to impose a tax on the people
to force (oneself, one's presence, etc) on another or others; obtrude
(intransitive) to take advantage, as of a person or quality: to impose on someone's kindness
(transitive) (printing) to arrange pages so that after printing and folding the pages will be in the correct order
(transitive) to pass off deceptively; foist: to impose a hoax on someone
(transitive) (of a bishop or priest) to lay (the hands) on the head of a candidate for certain sacraments
Derived Forms
imposable, adjective
imposer, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Old French imposer, from Latin impōnere to place upon, from pōnere to place, set
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for impose on



late 14c., "to lay (a crime, etc.) to the account of," from Old French imposer "put, place; impute, charge, accuse" (c.1300), from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + poser "put, place" (see pose (v.1)). Sense of "to lay on as a burden" first recorded 1580s. Related: Imposed; imposing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Idioms and Phrases with impose on

impose on

Force something on someone; also, levy a tax or duty. For example, Don't try to impose your ideas on me, or The British crown imposed a tariff on tea. [ Late 1500s ]
Force oneself on others; take unfair advantage of. For example, Am I imposing on you if I stay overnight? or He's always imposing on us, dropping in unexpectedly with numerous friends. [ Early 1600s ]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Cite This Source

Word of the Day

Difficulty index for impose

All English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for impose

Scrabble Words With Friends

Quotes with impose on

Nearby words for impose on