be compelled to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be compelled to" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to feel forced or obligated to do something. Example: After failing several classes, the student was compelled to study harder in order to pass the final exams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Corporations must similarly be compelled to ensure the well-being of India's future human capital by promoting child-friendly development.

BMC Public Health

They should be compelled to fix it.

The New York Times

Should workers be compelled to join unions or pay dues?

The New York Times

Instead, it will be compelled to seek alliances.

The Economist

Will boys continue to be compelled to ignore that hunger?

The New York Times

So you can't be compelled to admit women.

The New York Times

Why should the global community be compelled to listen?

The Guardian

Will we be compelled to produce this card?

The New York Times

Should women with unwanted pregnancies be compelled to take those risks?

The New York Times

This means that we should be compelled to adopt the second approach to aesthetics after all.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even if they are deleted, e-mail service providers can be compelled to provide copies.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be compelled to" when you want to emphasize a sense of external obligation or force. It's stronger than "have to" but less severe than "be forced to".

Common error

Avoid using "be compelled to" in very informal situations. It can sound overly formal or even unnatural. Simpler alternatives like "need to" or "have to" often work better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be compelled to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of obligation or necessity. It suggests that someone or something is driven or forced to take a particular action, whether by external forces or internal conviction. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be compelled to" is a versatile phrase that conveys a sense of obligation or necessity. Ludwig AI shows it is widely used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a strong and somewhat formal tone. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overuse in very informal settings. Alternatives like "be obliged to" or "have to" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Remember to use "be compelled to" when you want to emphasize that an action is not merely a choice but a requirement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be obliged to

Emphasizes a moral or legal duty, similar to feeling compelled but often implies a formal obligation.

be forced to

Highlights the lack of choice and the external pressure causing the action.

be required to

Indicates a rule or regulation necessitates the action.

be bound to

Implies a commitment or agreement that creates the obligation.

have to

Expresses necessity or obligation in a more informal way.

be constrained to

Suggests limitations or restrictions that lead to the action.

be driven to

Focuses on the internal motivation or pressure that leads to the action.

be necessitated to

Indicates that circumstances make the action unavoidable.

be made to

Highlights the external agent that is causing one to perform an action.

be under pressure to

Implies external influences are at play which are making one to perform an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "be compelled to" to indicate a strong sense of obligation or necessity. For example, "The company may "be compelled to divest" some of its assets due to regulatory pressure".

What's the difference between "be compelled to" and "be forced to"?

"Be compelled to" implies a strong sense of obligation, often from an internal source or moral imperative, while "be forced to" suggests external coercion or a lack of choice. "I was "be compelled to" speak the truth" suggests a moral obligation, whereas "I was "be forced to" confess" indicates external pressure.

What can I say instead of "be compelled to"?

You can use alternatives like "be obliged to", "be required to", or "have to" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance of obligation or necessity.

Is it more appropriate to use "be compelled to" or "become compelled to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "be compelled to" is generally more concise and common. "Become compelled to" may be used to emphasize the process of developing the feeling of obligation over time.