be impelled to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be impelled to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a strong urge or compulsion to take a specific action. Example: "She felt she had to be impelled to speak out against the injustice she witnessed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

War photographers inherited what glamour going to war still had among the anti-bellicose, especially when the war was felt to be one of those rare conflicts in which someone of conscience would be impelled to take sides.

The New Yorker

At certain times, however, the companies might be impelled to do so: when a company disbanded or when it was put into enforced inactivity by visitations of the plague or when the plays were no longer current.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After encountering this novel's manifestation of cultural illness, the tribes of the outer boroughs may be impelled to march upon Manhattan to enslave the emotionally warped hoarders of jewels and neuroses who reside therein.

The New York Times - Books

Referring to his written directions he said marital coercion meant that a wife "was so affected to be impelled to commit the offence because she truly believed she had no real choice".

The Guardian

Facing this prospect, businesses on both sides of the English Channel would be impelled to campaign openly for Britain to keep full EU membership, instead of quietly lobbying for special deals for their own sectors.

The Guardian - Business

Carmen as the heroine in the novella by Prosper Mérimée and Bizet's opera may have been more French than Spanish, but without the aesthetic sense of Bizet's opera, Mr. Távora would hardly be impelled to retell essentially the same tale.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

She's impelled to codify.

The New Yorker

Even the vice-president was impelled to respond.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You are impelled to move, to pace in a small room.

The Guardian

He was a man whom society had failed so completely that he was impelled to lash out.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be impelled to" when you want to convey a sense of strong internal motivation or a feeling of being driven to do something, often against one's initial desires or better judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "be impelled to" too frequently in formal or business writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnecessarily forceful. Consider using milder alternatives like "be encouraged to" or "be advised to" when the situation doesn't warrant such a strong sense of compulsion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be impelled to" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a state of being driven or compelled to perform an action. This construction often highlights an external or internal force that influences someone's decision or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be impelled to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that suggests a strong sense of motivation or compulsion. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in scientific writing. While it can be used in various contexts, it's important to consider the nuance and avoid overuse in formal settings. Related phrases like "be compelled to" and "be driven to" offer similar meanings, but each carries a slightly different connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be compelled to

Indicates a strong obligation or necessity, similar to "be impelled to", but often suggests an external force or authority causing the action.

be driven to

Suggests that internal or external pressures are pushing someone towards a particular action, very close in meaning to "be impelled to".

be obliged to

Implies a sense of duty or moral obligation, slightly more formal than "be impelled to".

be motivated to

Highlights the reason or incentive behind an action, whereas "be impelled to" focuses more on the feeling of compulsion.

be inclined to

Suggests a tendency or preference to do something, less forceful than "be impelled to".

feel urged to

Expresses a strong prompting or encouragement to take action, capturing the internal pressure similar to "be impelled to".

find oneself compelled to

Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the action, highlighting that the person has little choice.

have no choice but to

Expresses a lack of alternatives, emphasizing the necessity of the action and a situation where decision making is limited.

be necessitated to

Indicates that the action is required due to circumstances, focusing on the external need rather than the internal drive.

cannot help but

Conveys an inability to resist doing something, similar to "be impelled to" in its implication of compulsion.

FAQs

What does "be impelled to" mean?

The phrase "be impelled to" means to feel a strong urge or compulsion to do something, often because of internal or external pressures. It suggests a powerful motivation behind an action.

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

You can use "be impelled to" to describe someone's motivation for doing something. For example: "Seeing the injustice, she "felt impelled to" speak out."

Which is a more common phrase, "be impelled to" or "be compelled to"?

While both are correct, "be compelled to" is generally more common and widely used than "be impelled to", although the nuance in meaning is very similar.

What are some alternatives to "be impelled to"?

You can use alternatives such as "be driven to", "be obliged to", or "be motivated to" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.