---
title: impose — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «impose» in the school dictionary: To make a rule, tax or punishment that people must accept. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# impose

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** people, I, council, referee, you, government · **What happens:** make, accept, force, ask, cause, not want · **To what, where:** rule, tax, ideas, much, them, speed limit · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«impose» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [impose in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/impose.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To make a rule, tax or punishment that people must accept.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:m1:1
# text = To make a rule, tax or punishment that people must accept.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	make	make	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	6	punct	_	_
6	tax	tax	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	appos	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	8	cc	_	_
8	punishment	punishment	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
9	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	12	obj	_	_
10	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	nsubj	_	_
11	must	must	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	12	aux	_	_
12	accept	accept	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | a rule |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset rule=Product |
| 2 | **accept** | must | people | tax or punishment |  |  |  |  | vn obtain-13.5.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent that=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To force your ideas or wishes on other people.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:m2:1
# text = To force your ideas or wishes on other people.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	force	force	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	ideas	idea	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	wishes	wish	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	conj	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	other	other	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **force** | to-infinitive |  | your ideas or wishes |  |  |  | on other people | vn urge-58.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent idea=Recipient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: impose on — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To ask too much of someone, causing them trouble, as in «I don't want to impose».

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:m3:1
# text = To ask too much of someone, causing them trouble, as in «I don't want to impose».
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	ask	ask	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	too	too	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	much	much	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	obj	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	8	punct	_	_
8	causing	cause	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	_
9	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	trouble	trouble	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
12	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	18	mark	_	_
13	in	in	ADP	IN	_	12	fixed	_	_
14	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	18	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	18	nsubj	_	_
16	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	18	advmod	_	_
18	want	want	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	ccomp	_	_
19	to	to	PART	TO	_	20	mark	_	_
20	impose	impose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	18	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	18	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **ask** *speech: ask* | to-infinitive |  | much of someone |  |  |  |  | vn urge-58.1-1-1 «NP V NP that S»: agent=Agent much=Recipient clause=Topic |
| 2 | **cause** | gerund |  | them *= they* |  |  |  |  | vn engender-27.1-1 «NP V S»: agent=Causer they=Theme trouble=Eventuality |
| 3 | **not** **want** *in a quote* | present · do-support | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 4 | **impose** *not said to happen, in a quote* | to-infinitive | I *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The council imposed a speed limit near the school.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x1:1
# text = The council imposed a speed limit near the school.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	council	council	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	imposed	impose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	speed	speed	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	_
6	limit	limit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	near	near	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impose** | past | the council | a speed limit |  | the school |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent limit=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The referee imposed a penalty.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x2:1
# text = The referee imposed a penalty.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	referee	referee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	imposed	impose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	penalty	penalty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impose** | past | the referee | a penalty |  |  |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent penalty=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't impose your choice on everyone.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x3:1
# text = Don't impose your choice on everyone.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	impose	impose	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	5	nmod:poss	_	_
5	choice	choice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **impose** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | your choice |  | everyone |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent choice=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I don't want to impose, but could I stay for tea?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x4:1
# text = I don't want to impose, but could I stay for tea?
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	do	do	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	want	want	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	impose	impose	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
8	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
9	could	could	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	11	aux	_	_
10	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	11	nsubj	_	_
11	stay	stay	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	conj	_	_
12	for	for	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	tea	tea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **want** | present · do-support | I |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Pivot clause=Theme |
| 2 | **impose** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | I *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **stay** | could | I |  |  |  |  | for tea | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The government imposed a new tax on sugar.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x5:1
# text = The government imposed a new tax on sugar.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	government	government	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	imposed	impose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	tax	tax	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
7	on	on	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	sugar	sugar	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **impose** | past | the government | a new tax |  | sugar |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tax=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The castle was an imposing sight.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x6:1
# text = The castle was an imposing sight.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	castle	castle	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	imposing	imposing	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	sight	sight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | the castle | a imposing sight |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Princes come from all quarters to ask her hand, and on one and all she imposes a condition.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:impose:x7:1
# text = Princes come from all quarters to ask her hand, and on one and all she imposes a condition.
1	Princes	prince	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	come	come	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	5	det	_	_
5	quarters	quarter	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	ask	ask	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	9	nmod:poss	_	_
9	hand	hand	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
11	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	17	cc	_	_
12	on	on	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
13	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	17	nsubj	_	_
14	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	13	conj	_	_
16	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	17	nsubj	_	_
17	imposes	impose	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	parataxis	_	_
18	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	19	det	_	_
19	condition	condition	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	17	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
20	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come** | present | Princes |  |  | all quarters |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme from quarter=Initial\_Location |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | to-infinitive | Princes *not said here* | her hand |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V NP.recipient»: agent=Agent hand=Recipient |
| 3 | **impose** | present | one | a condition |  |  |  |  | vn enforce-63 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent condition=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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