coerce him into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coerce him into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of persuading or forcing someone to do something against their will. Example: "The manager tried to coerce him into working overtime without pay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Jonatan was running from gang members who had repeatedly tried to coerce him into joining their ranks.

The New Yorker

At first, pro-Assad students tried to coerce him into working for them, giving him an electric cattle prod and, later, a pistol.

Independent

The rebels drag him to their cave and coerce him into building a missile, via a torture montage which could have younger viewers wailing.

Independent

Have you considered how your brother-in-law must feel about your one-woman mission to coerce him into revealing all?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A New Jersey rabbi and his wife were charged with kidnapping and beating an Israeli man to coerce him into signing an Orthodox Jewish divorce document for his wife in Israel.

The New York Times

Morlock and another soldier accused of murder, Adam Winfield, have characterized Gibbs as a sociopath who orchestrated the killings, and Winfield further claims Gibbs used his rank as a noncommissioned officer to coerce him into participating.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr Young claims the police coerced him into identifying Mr Davis as the shooter.

The Economist

His lawyer, Joey Jackson, said Raymond Roth had verbally and physically abused his son for years and had coerced him into taking part in the insurance scheme.

The New York Times

The aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, has accused Mr. Anwar of having coerced him into having sex, but even consensual sodomy is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The New York Times

The officers, Miranda told The Guardian, coerced him into surrendering the passwords to his computer and phone by threatening him with jail if he did not comply.

The Guardian

The suit, which was filed on Tuesday in Federal District Court in Brooklyn, alleged that Dr. Lederman revealed confidential information about the musician and coerced him into signing autographs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coerce him into" when you want to emphasize that someone is being forced or pressured to do something against their will. It's stronger than simply persuading or encouraging.

Common error

Avoid using "coerce him into" when a more neutral term like "persuade" or "encourage" would be more appropriate. "Coerce" implies a negative and forceful action, so ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coerce him into" functions as a transitive verb phrase, requiring a direct object (him) and indicating the action of compelling someone to do something. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts involving pressure or unwanted influence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coerce him into" is a common expression used to describe the act of forcing or pressuring someone to do something against their will. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media. While generally appropriate, it's important to consider the negative connotation associated with "coerce" and whether a more neutral term like "persuade" might be more suitable. Alternative phrases, such as "force him to" or "pressure him into", offer nuanced variations in meaning and intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Force him to

Emphasizes the use of power or authority to make someone do something.

Compel him to

Indicates a strong and often irresistible force making someone act.

Pressure him into

Suggests applying influence or persuasion to make someone do something.

Bully him into

Implies intimidation or threats to make someone do something.

Intimidate him into

Suggests using fear to make someone do something.

Oblige him to

Implies a legal or moral requirement to do something.

Strong-arm him into

Indicates aggressive tactics to make someone comply.

Manipulate him into

Implies using cunning or deceit to make someone do something.

Inveigle him into

Suggests using flattery or persuasion to achieve a goal.

Influence him to

Suggests a more subtle form of persuasion.

FAQs

How can I use "coerce him into" in a sentence?

You can use "coerce him into" to describe a situation where someone is forced or pressured to do something against their will. For example, "They tried to coerce him into signing the contract".

What's a more neutral alternative to "coerce him into"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "coerce him into" include "persuade him to", "encourage him to", or "convince him to".

Is it always negative to use "coerce him into"?

Yes, "coerce him into" generally carries a negative connotation, implying the use of force or pressure to make someone do something they don't want to do.

What's the difference between "coerce him into" and "force him to"?

"Coerce him into" implies manipulation or pressure, while "force him to" suggests direct use of power or authority. Both indicate a lack of willing consent.