compel their labor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compel their labor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing forcing or requiring individuals to work, often in discussions about labor rights or exploitation. Example: "The new policy was criticized for its tendency to compel their labor without fair compensation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In truth, the Civil War only was about states' rights in the sense that the Confederate states feared losing one specific "right" — to own human beings and compel their labor.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The mother filed a complaint to compel their return.

The New York Times

While these narrative conventions and tropes have rhetorical appeal, the evidence does not compel their selection.

SEP

We will compel your labor.

Huffington Post

[New York Post] Some New York State farmers, who have long relied on seasonal labor mostly from Jamaica and Mexico obtained through federal guest-worker contracts, say the state Department of Labor has disrupted their labor supply in an attempt to compel them to hire less experienced domestic workers from Puerto Rico and other areas.

The New York Times

The company, according to the indictment, sought to "to compel the workers' labor and service through threats to have them arrested, deported or sent back to Thailand, knowing the workers could not pay off their debts if sent home".

The New York Times

Where does it compel you to labor with hope on God's behalf?

Huffington Post

However, in the spirit of King, there are reasons beyond political and economic considerations that compel us to labor for Trump's defeat.

Huffington Post

Hopper's book links the personal stories of enslaved Africans to the impersonal global commodity chains their labor enabled, demonstrating how the growing demand for workers created by a global demand for Persian Gulf products compelled the enslavement of these people and their transportation to eastern Arabia.

Yale University

Their labor agreement expired three weeks ago.

The New York Times - Sports

They have flexibility in their labor markets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compel their labor" when you want to emphasize the act of forcing someone to work, especially against their will. Consider the ethical implications of using this phrase, as it often implies exploitation or lack of consent.

Common error

Avoid using "compel their labor" in contexts where voluntary work or collaboration is involved. This phrase carries a strong negative connotation of coercion and is inappropriate when describing willing participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compel their labor" functions as a verb phrase, where "compel" is the transitive verb and "their labor" is the direct object. It describes the act of forcing someone to perform work. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in contexts discussing forced work.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compel their labor" is grammatically sound but carries a strong connotation of forced or coerced work. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, primarily in contexts related to historical accounts, ethical discussions, or legal analyses concerning labor exploitation. While its frequency is rare, its use in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post underscores its relevance in discussing critical labor issues. When using this phrase, be mindful of its implications and ensure it aligns with the intended message of coercion or lack of consent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Coerce their effort

Emphasizes the use of pressure to extract effort.

Force their workforce

Emphasizes the act of using coercion on the workforce.

Press them into service

Suggests unwilling entry into labor or service.

Require their service

Suggests a formal obligation to provide service.

Command their work

Highlights the authority used to order work.

Enforce their tasks

Highlights the strict implementation of assigned tasks.

Demand their contribution

Focuses on the required contribution of labor.

Obligate their duties

Focuses on the mandatory nature of the tasks.

Make them toil

Emphasizes the arduous nature of the work.

Exact their pound of flesh

Uses a metaphor to describe extracting labor under harsh conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "compel their labor" in a sentence?

You can use "compel their labor" to describe situations where individuals are forced to work against their will, such as, "The dictator used threats to compel their labor on the construction of his palace."

What are some alternatives to "compel their labor"?

Alternatives include "require their service", "force their workforce", or "command their work", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "compel their labor" and "motivate their work"?

"Compel their labor" implies coercion or force, while "motivate their work" suggests encouraging or incentivizing individuals to work willingly. The former is negative, while the latter is positive.

Is it appropriate to use "compel their labor" in a business context?

It is generally inappropriate unless describing unethical or illegal practices. More suitable phrases in a business context might be "require their effort" or "assign their tasks".