Impose | Vocabulary
About this video
David explains that 'impose' is a verb meaning to force something onto others, from the Latin im/in (on) and ponere (to put). He shows related words like position and oppose, explains that impose is used figuratively (imposing a rule) and in the polite phrase 'I don't want to impose', and gives the noun form 'imposition'.
You'll be able to
- explain what 'impose' means and use it in a sentence.
- explain how the Latin parts im (on) and ponere (to put) build the meaning.
- tell the difference between imposing a rule and the phrase 'I don't want to impose'.
Key words
- impose
- To force something, such as a rule or your taste, onto other people.
- imposition
- The noun form of impose: something that is an unfair burden or inconvenience for someone.
- figurative
- Used in a non-literal way, as an idea rather than a physical action.
- oppose
- To be against something; literally to put yourself against it.
Transcript
- [Narrator] Hey there, wordsmiths. This video is about the word impose, impose. It's a verb and it means to force something onto others. Kind of like how I impose my taste in music on you in these videos. You didn't ask for this, I just put it onto you, which is indeed what this word literally means in Latin/ Comes from two parts, im or in, which can mean in or on, and ponere, which means to put.
So let me impose my taste on you by giving you a ten second music break during which time I would like for you to list out as many words that contain im or pose as you can. Ready? Let's do it to it. (upbeat music) All right, here is some I came up with earlier.
Position, where you put something, where it's located. Impression, an impact, a dent, when you make a big impression, you're literally saying you pressed into something, like a big impression in the sand or the snow. Figuratively, it's an idea that occurs to you as easily as making a dent in sand.
Oppose, right? This word means to be against something, to put yourself against it. Anyway, impose, it means to put something on someone, but it's not used literally. You wouldn't say, "I imposed a bucket on Steve's head. Sorry Steve." 'Cause you wouldn't do that.
"So I guess I'm not sorry Steve, 'cause that didn't happen." It is a figurative meaning, a non-literal meaning. Do you think the new principle will impose a ban on junk food? It's more like you're putting in a new rule. Another meaning of imposing is being impolite.
It's a common expression to say, "I don't want to impose," right? I don't wanna be an inconvenience. I don't wanna waste your time, put myself in your way. You see, "I don't want to impose, but could you look after my giant spider this weekend? You don't even need to walk her, come on, she's so sweet.
Her name is Benjamin." Another form that this word can take if we wanna make it a noun, is imposition. It's a big imposition for me to look after this man eating spider. Wordsmiths, I would never ask you to watch my giant spider, man-eating or otherwise, but I would impose on you by asking that you be so kind as to watch the next vocabulary video I make.
You can learn anything, David out.
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