What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inflicted
Example
The storm inflicted severe damage on the town. [inflicted: verb]
Example
The judge inflicted a harsh sentence on the defendant. [inflicted: past tense]
Example
The disease inflicted unbearable pain on the patient. [inflicted: past participle]
impose
Example
I don't want to impose on your hospitality. [impose: verb]
Example
The teacher imposed a strict deadline for the project. [imposed: past tense]
Example
The government imposed a curfew to control the spread of the virus. [imposed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impose is more commonly used than inflicted in everyday language. Impose is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inflicted is less common and refers to a specific type of harm or damage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inflicted and impose?
Both inflicted and impose can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, impose is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
