What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impose
Example
The government imposed a curfew on the city to control the spread of the virus. [imposed: past tense]
Example
She felt that her boss was imposing too many responsibilities on her. [imposing: present participle]
enforce
Example
The police were called to enforce the noise ordinance in the neighborhood. [enforce: verb]
Example
The company has strict policies in place to enforce ethical behavior among its employees. [enforce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enforce is more commonly used than impose in everyday language. Enforce is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while impose is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impose and enforce?
Both impose and enforce can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, enforce is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
