are compelled to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are compelled to" is correct and usable in written English.
You use this phrase when you are expressing that someone is forcibly required to do something. For example: "The students are compelled to take their final exams by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Writers are compelled to assault taboos.

The New Yorker

You are compelled to buy it.

The New York Times - Arts

You are compelled to take the waters in a convertible.

The New Yorker

Active campaigners are compelled to embrace the ideology of Meism.

The New York Times

Plants are compelled to pay ever higher wages.

The New York Times

"People don't have a choice in this.We are compelled to look at green issues.

Independent

Weston and Devine are compelled to return to Earth, and Ransom chooses to accompany them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We are compelled to plead and ask for a public outcry," she wrote.

The New York Times

Others are compelled to stay closer to home and burrow into the stories they know best.

The New York Times

Palestinian leaders and their public hope for the best and are compelled to accept the worst.

The New York Times

The more money the clubs receive, the more they are compelled to spend.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are compelled to" to convey a sense of strong obligation, necessity, or external pressure. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the compulsion, whether it's a legal requirement, moral imperative, or situational necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "are compelled to" when describing mere preferences or inclinations. This phrase denotes a stronger, often unavoidable, obligation. Using it loosely can weaken your argument or create a misleading impression of external pressure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are compelled to" functions as a modal construction indicating obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals that individuals or entities are under some form of strong external pressure or requirement to perform a specific action. Examples from Ludwig show it used across various contexts to denote situations where choices are limited.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are compelled to" effectively conveys a sense of strong obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While the phrase is mostly correct, it is very important to be aware of the degree of obligation that this term implies in your writing, and avoid being too emphatic when it is not appropriate. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business sources. Alternatives such as ""are required to"" or "are obligated to" can provide subtle variations in meaning, but it's important to keep in mind the level of enforcement of obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are required to

Suggests a rule or regulation that necessitates a specific action.

must

Expresses a strong sense of obligation or necessity, often from an authority.

are obligated to

Indicates a moral or legal duty, often implying a formal agreement or understanding.

are duty-bound to

Highlights a sense of moral or professional responsibility driving the action.

are under an obligation to

Formal way of saying that one is legally or morally bound to do something.

are forced to

Emphasizes external pressure or coercion leading to a particular action.

are constrained to

Suggests limitations or restrictions that force a specific action.

are bound to

Implies a commitment or inevitable outcome based on existing circumstances.

are left with no choice but to

Highlights the lack of alternatives and the inevitability of the action.

have to

A more informal way of expressing necessity or obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "are compelled to" in a sentence?

Use "are compelled to" to indicate that someone is forced or obliged to do something due to external pressures or requirements. For example, "Students "are required to" complete assignments, while citizens "are compelled to" pay taxes."

What are some alternatives to "are compelled to"?

You can use phrases like "are obligated to", ""are required to"", or "are forced to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of obligation or necessity.

Is it more appropriate to use "are compelled to" or "are required to"?

"Are compelled to" suggests a stronger external force or pressure than ""are required to"". Use "are compelled to" when emphasizing the lack of choice or the severity of the obligation.

What's the difference between "are compelled to" and "are encouraged to"?

"Are compelled to" indicates an obligation, meaning there are consequences for non-compliance. In contrast, "are encouraged to" suggests a recommendation or suggestion without the force of obligation.