I was impelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was impelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a strong urge or compulsion to act in a certain way, often due to external forces or influences. Example: "I was impelled to speak out against the injustice I witnessed in my community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was OK with that, because I was impelled on this writing journey for a very personal reason – a series of questions I needed to answer.

The Guardian - Books

"I was impelled now to look more closely," Art says, pinpointing the chief virtue and gift of solitude, "to try to see the whole and its parts at the same time … the fine join of earlobe and jaw, the bone beneath her eye, and as I looked, it was no longer a profile".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But I'm impelled to do this work because my children and grandchildren are on the planet.

The New York Times

NANCY BRINKER, founder and C.E.O. of Susan G. Komen, Dallas DIEDERIK STAPELS'S AUDACIOUS ACADEMIC FRAUD Having just finished reading Yudhijit Bhattacharjee's absorbing article on Diederik Stapel, I am impelled to ask: Might there not exist faked science experiments that were so cleverly done years ago that they were published and are totally accepted by the scientific community to this day?

The New York Times - Magazine

As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money due to civil service code which formits civil servants from owing or operating foreign currency account coupled with the fact that the fund is huge thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account on my behalf.

TechCrunch

Paradoxically, I am at one and the same time exhilarated by the possibilities inherent in the essential anonymity of the web as I am impelled to share more than I would ever consider doing in person, in real social situations.

Huffington Post

Since none of the fiction lovers to whom I mention Mavis Gallant has more than the vaguest notion who she is -- this, despite her being singled out for many awards and honors over the years -- I'm impelled to state that not having read her work represents a sizable lapse in knowledge of the best twentieth-century writers.

Huffington Post

The court said in Garner it was impelled to adopt the doctrine in order to protect, in the distinctive context of custodial interrogation, the privilege against self-incrimination.

The New York Times

I think he was impelled more by the adventure of it than by the good works.

The New Yorker

The blackmailing was impelled solely by a craving for amusement.

The New Yorker

Even the vice-president was impelled to respond.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was impelled" when you want to convey a sense of strong internal or external pressure that motivated your action. Consider whether "compelled", "driven", or "moved" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to express.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I was impelled" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for more natural phrasing like "I felt I had to" or "I was moved to" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was impelled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) was acted upon by an external force or internal motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, aligning with examples where individuals describe being driven to action by a personal reason or a sense of duty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Books

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was impelled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a sense of being strongly driven or motivated to act. As verified by Ludwig AI, while correct, it is relatively uncommon, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. More frequent in news and media and in books, alternative phrasing such as "I felt compelled" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When using "I was impelled", ensure the context warrants the slightly elevated tone and the emphasis on external or internal pressure that prompted your action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt compelled

Changes to a more common and slightly less formal phrasing.

I felt driven

Emphasizes the internal pressure or motivation behind the action.

I was compelled by

Highlights the source or reason behind the compulsion.

I was obliged

Implies a sense of duty or obligation motivating the action.

I was forced

Suggests a lack of choice and external coercion.

I was moved

Implies an emotional or empathetic motivation.

I was urged

Suggests someone encouraged or advised the action.

I was inclined

Implies a predisposition or leaning towards the action.

I was prompted

Suggests something triggered or initiated the action.

I found myself compelled

Emphasizes the unexpected or involuntary nature of the compulsion.

FAQs

What does "I was impelled" mean?

The phrase "I was impelled" means that you felt a strong urge or compulsion to do something, often driven by external factors or inner conviction.

How can I use "I was impelled" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where you felt strongly motivated to act. For instance, "I was impelled to speak out against the injustice I witnessed."

What are some alternatives to saying "I was impelled"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt compelled", "I was moved", or "I felt driven" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "I was impelled" or "I felt compelled"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I felt compelled" is slightly more common and less formal than "I was impelled". The best choice depends on the desired tone.