a compelling interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a compelling interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or policy contexts to refer to a significant reason or justification for a particular action or decision. Example: "The government must demonstrate a compelling interest in order to justify the restrictions on free speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both countries have a compelling interest in peace.

The Economist

Does the government have a "compelling interest" here?

The Guardian

The mandate's promotion of women's health and equality is clearly a compelling interest.

The New York Times

The mandate's promotion of women's health and autonomy is plainly a compelling interest.

The New York Times

The government has a compelling interest in insuring that all citizens are treated equally.

The New Yorker

Thus, the Law School has a compelling interest in attaining a diverse student body.

Cornell University

For all its lack of liveliness, the ballet has a compelling interest.

The New York Times

"The government has a compelling interest in protecting confidentiality in those cases," Ms. Handman said.

The New York Times

It wasn't until she joined a thermal hydraulics lab at UCB that she developed a compelling interest in science research.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Government argues that it has a compelling interest in meeting its international obligations by complying with the Convention.

Cornell University

Not unless the state could show a compelling interest for making such a distinction, Mr. Sekulow replied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a compelling interest" in legal or policy writing, ensure you clearly articulate what constitutes this interest and provide evidence to support its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a compelling interest" to justify actions that lack a strong, demonstrable public benefit. Ensure the interest is genuinely significant and not a pretext for other motives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a compelling interest" typically functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, often within legal or policy discussions. It denotes a reason or justification that is exceptionally persuasive or necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard and well-accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a compelling interest" is a well-established phrase, recognized by Ludwig AI as correct and usable in written English. It functions as a noun phrase, predominantly in legal and policy discussions, to provide strong justification for actions or decisions. Its usage is most frequent in news media and academic contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. Alternatives such as "a strong interest" or "a significant interest" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When employing this phrase, ensure the interest is demonstrably significant and supported by evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong interest

Emphasizes the strength or intensity of the interest.

a significant interest

Underscores the importance or consequence of the interest.

a vital interest

Highlights the necessity or importance of the interest.

a legitimate interest

Focuses on the lawfulness or validity of the interest.

a substantial reason

Focuses on the solid grounds or rationale behind an action.

an overriding concern

Stresses that the concern is more important than anything else.

a critical need

Highlights the urgency and importance of the requirement.

a powerful incentive

Highlights the motivational aspect of the interest.

a pressing concern

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issue.

a paramount consideration

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the consideration.

FAQs

How is "a compelling interest" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "a compelling interest" is used to justify government actions that might otherwise infringe on individual rights. The government must demonstrate that the action serves a crucial public goal and is narrowly tailored to achieve that goal.

What are some alternatives to saying "a compelling interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a strong interest", "a vital interest", or "a significant interest" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a compelling interest"?

It's appropriate when describing a reason or justification that is not only important but also essential and outweighs other considerations. It often appears in discussions of constitutional law and public policy.

What's the difference between "a compelling interest" and "a legitimate interest"?

"A legitimate interest" implies something that is lawful or permissible, while "a compelling interest" suggests something that is crucial or necessary. "A compelling interest" carries a higher level of justification and importance.