compel us to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compel us to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong urge or necessity for someone to take action or behave in a certain way. Example: "The circumstances compel us to reconsider our approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Social media, online games, and even good ol' email utilize desire engines to compel us to use them.

TechCrunch

And their voices should compel us to change.

The New York Times

But what -- some lives compel us to ask -- about hatred?

The New York Times - Magazine

Refining the Strategy The facts compel us to act.

The New York Times

"But circumstances compel us to keep working on it".

The Guardian

What are the life-enhancing functions that will compel us to pay for these new playthings?

The Guardian - Business

"There was enough data to compel us to look into this," Ms. Gibson said.

The New York Times

This is how we will be judged, and their voices should compel us to change".

The Guardian

The persistence of murder does not compel us to ignore burglary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Emotional connections compel us to support a cause because we hope to prevent others from enduring the same suffering.

The Guardian

"It will compel us to have signals and crosswalks where the children can safely cross," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compel us to" when you want to express that a situation or set of facts leaves no other reasonable option but to act in a specific way. It indicates a strong sense of necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "compel us to" when a simpler word like "encourage" or "invite" would suffice. The phrase suggests a powerful force, and overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compel us to" functions as a verb phrase indicating obligation or necessity. It expresses that external factors or circumstances leave individuals or groups with no reasonable alternative but to take a specific action, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compel us to" is a frequently used phrase signifying a strong sense of obligation or necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While alternatives like "force us to" or "oblige us to" exist, "compel us to" carries a particular weight and should be used thoughtfully to convey a powerful sense of inevitability. Overusing it in less impactful scenarios can weaken its effect. Remember to use this phrase when genuinely expressing that a situation has made a particular action unavoidable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

force us to

Emphasizes a stronger, more direct imposition than "compel us to".

require us to

Indicates a necessity based on rules, laws, or regulations.

oblige us to

Suggests a moral or legal duty to perform an action.

urge us to

Implies a strong encouragement, but less forceful than "compel us to".

motivate us to

Focuses on the internal drive or reason for action.

drive us to

Highlights the impetus or push behind an action.

lead us to

Suggests a guiding influence rather than a forceful command.

incentivize us to

Focuses on providing a reward or benefit for taking action.

influence us to

Highlights the power of suggestion over direct compulsion.

persuade us to

Implies convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

FAQs

What does "compel us to" mean?

"Compel us to" means to force or oblige someone to do something. It indicates a strong sense of necessity or obligation.

How can I use "compel us to" in a sentence?

You can use "compel us to" when you want to say that a situation or set of facts forces you to do something. For example, "The evidence compels us to reconsider our initial assessment."

What can I say instead of "compel us to"?

You can use alternatives like "force us to", "oblige us to", or "require us to" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "compel us to" and "encourage us to"?

"Compel us to" implies a stronger sense of obligation or necessity than "encourage us to". To compel suggests there is little choice, while to encourage suggests a prompting or urging.