compel someone to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compel someone to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone is being forced or strongly urged to do something. Example: "The evidence compelled her to change her testimony." Alternative expressions include "force someone to," "urge someone to," and "coerce someone into."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Law & Ethics

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mr Mtisi said: "You can't compel someone to lie.

Independent

What would compel someone to free climb a sheer rock face that is just under a kilometre high?

The Guardian - Opinion

In Canada, he added, "although there is a right to free speech, there is no right to compel someone to listen to your speech".

The Guardian

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature voted on Thursday to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would ban any laws that compel someone to "participate in any health care system".

The New York Times

"Obviously, the level of violence we saw this morning is disturbing, and we would hope that will compel someone to come forward and give us the information we need," he said, according to the Advocate.

Independent

"What this really distills down to," Judge Hudson said during a hearing in October, "is whether or not you can compel someone to make a decision when they're not inclined to do so otherwise.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

While the longing that is one of Ms. Benning's major themes compels someone to an airport, it is not clear if a plane is boarded or not.

The New York Times - Arts

Join Graham Parker for our minute-by-minute of the game from 2.30pm ET What compels someone to watch more than one game on the final day of the league season when all but one (more on that below) of the playoff spots have been determined?

The Guardian - Sport

What even compels someone to write such hateful things?

Huffington Post

We ask, "How did this happen?" What compels someone to commit fraud -- to work hard, rise to the top, then undo his or her life's work by committing a crime?

Huffington Post

"What's far more interesting," he says, "is what compels someone known for making art to want to do this and how savvy they have to be to get it done and what sort of difference it makes".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for formal contexts or when you want to convey a high level of intensity in the force being applied.

Common error

Do not use "compel someone to" when the influence is minor or optional. For example, saying "my friend compelled me to try the new coffee shop" is likely hyperbole; in such cases, "urged" or "convinced" is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compel someone to" operates as a transitive verb phrase requiring a direct object followed by an infinitive complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it functions as a way to link an agent of force (whether a law, an emotion, or a person) to a resulting action. Ludwig AI confirms this structure is standard and grammatically correct across all examined instances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compel someone to" is a powerful linguistic tool used to describe actions taken under significant pressure or necessity. Based on data from Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently utilized in news and legal reporting to describe situations ranging from judicial mandates to irresistible human curiosity. Unlike simpler alternatives, it carries a weight of authority and seriousness. Ludwig AI indicates that it is perfectly acceptable in professional writing, provided it is used to describe high-stakes situations rather than trivial choices. Whether the force is external (like a law) or internal (like a creative urge), this phrase effectively captures the sense of being driven toward a specific conclusion or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

force someone to

Standard and slightly more direct alternative

impel someone to

Suggests a stronger internal or moral drive rather than purely external force

oblige someone to

Indicates a sense of duty or social requirement

coerce someone into

Implies the use of threats or intimidation

make someone do

The common informal version of the expression

pressurize someone to

Emphasizes the persistent application of social or psychological pressure

drive someone to

Suggests being pushed to a point of action by extreme circumstances

constrain someone to

Focuses on the limitations that leave someone with no other choice

mandate someone to

Used specifically for legal or official requirements

induce someone to

Suggests persuasion or influence rather than hard force

FAQs

How do you use "compel someone to" in a sentence?

You can use it to show that an external factor is forcing an action, such as "The law may "compel someone to" testify in court" or "His conscience will "compel someone to" tell the truth".

What is the difference between "compel" and "impel"?

While similar, "compel someone to" usually implies an external force or legal necessity, whereas "impel someone to" often refers to an internal moral or emotional drive.

Can I say "compel someone into"?

Generally, "compel" is followed by the infinitive "to [verb]". If you want to use the preposition "into", a more common alternative is "coerce someone into" or "force someone into" followed by a gerund.

Is "compel someone to" considered formal?

Yes, it is more formal than "make someone do" and is frequently found in legal, journalistic, and academic writing.