compelled by conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compelled by conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone feels a strong moral obligation to act in a certain way due to their beliefs or values. Example: "She felt compelled by conscience to speak out against the injustice she witnessed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He says he approached the Guardian, compelled by conscience to speak, "because I believe in our democracy".

The Guardian

Those close to him call Vest a man of integrity, compelled by conscience, someone who makes clear distinctions between right and wrong.

MIT Technology Review

In ignoring this context, and recommending a much more severe punishment for Bradley Manning than is given to US soldiers guilty of murdering civilians, military leadership is sending a chilling warning to other soldiers who would feel compelled by conscience to reveal misdeeds.

The Guardian - Opinion

Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old national-security contractor from Hawaii, revealed that he was compelled by conscience to inform the world about a massive abuse of authority perpetrated by the US National Security Agency.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Vo apparently was eventually compelled — whether by conscience or other circumstances — to stop her online activities.

The Washington Post

The second man battling with his conscience is the Serbian hitman Mrado (Dragomir Mrsic), who's more or less compelled by the state authorities to care for the eight-year-old Lovisa, his daughter by a drug addict incapable of dealing with her.

The Guardian - Film

She is compelled by her own logic.

The New York Times - Books

"I was just compelled by these images".

The New York Times

Sometimes they are extremely compelled by what they are experiencing".

The New York Times

"I'm completely compelled by it," he said.

The New York Times

"We're compelled by complexity," Mr Kyffin says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compelled by conscience" to emphasize the moral or ethical basis for someone's actions, especially when those actions are difficult or controversial.

Common error

Ensure that it's clear who or what is doing the compelling. Avoid using the phrase in a way that obscures the agent of compulsion, which is always the conscience itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compelled by conscience" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a person or entity, indicating the driving force behind their actions. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing motivations behind ethical decisions and actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compelled by conscience" effectively conveys that an action is morally driven. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and usable in written English. While relatively rare, it's commonly found in news and media, academia, to highlight the moral or ethical underpinnings of a decision or action. Rephrasing can be done with phrases like "driven by moral imperative" or "motivated by ethical considerations" to achieve variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Driven by moral imperative

Emphasizes a strong, internally felt duty to act.

Motivated by ethical considerations

Highlights the role of ethics in influencing decisions.

Guided by inner principles

Focuses on personal values as the driving force.

Spurred by moral conviction

Indicates a strong belief that compels action.

Acting on ethical grounds

Highlights the justification of actions based on ethics.

Led by a sense of duty

Suggests action is taken because it's the right thing to do.

Prompted by a moral obligation

Indicates a feeling of being bound by one's morals.

Inspired by moral rectitude

Highlights the influence of moral correctness on actions.

Incited by ethical responsibility

Emphasis that action comes from personal consideration.

Animated by dictates of conscience

Animated is a stronger verb, and dictates indicates internal guidance is a strong force.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "compelled by conscience"?

You can use alternatives such as "driven by moral imperative", "motivated by ethical considerations", or "guided by inner principles" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "compelled by conscience" formal or informal?

The phrase "compelled by conscience" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in writing that discusses ethical or moral decisions.

What does it mean to be "compelled by conscience"?

To be "compelled by conscience" means that your actions are strongly influenced or dictated by your internal moral compass or sense of right and wrong. It suggests a powerful feeling of obligation.

Can "compelled by conscience" be used in legal or ethical discussions?

Yes, "compelled by conscience" is often used in legal and ethical discussions to describe situations where individuals or organizations make decisions based on moral grounds, particularly when these decisions may conflict with legal or organizational requirements.