compelled by law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compelled by law" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where someone is required to act in a certain way due to legal obligations. Example: "The company was compelled by law to disclose the financial information to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even when compelled by law to defer to male authority, they voice their minds.

The New York Times

The White House, unlike Congress, is not compelled by law or regulation to reveal individual salaries.

The Washington Post

"The mines [are] not in any way compelled by law to do any CSR.

The Guardian

The shadow children's minister, Lisa Nandy, said schools should be compelled by law to report child welfare concerns.

Independent

Aren't city employees on paid duty compelled by law to render emergency medical assistance when the situation demands it?!

University of California, Berkeley

Canada, which has no death penalty, is compelled by law to intervene when its citizens are sentenced to that overseas.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Mrs. Merkel is also compelled by German law to seek a mandate from Parliament's budget committee before committing new funds.

The New York Times

Because Abood is not controlling, we must analyze the constitutionality of the payments compelled by Illinois law under generally applicable First Amendment standards.

Cornell University

Responding to a recent surge in Asian voter populations, Nevada and 10 other states are being compelled by federal law to print ballots and other voting materials in languages other than English.

The New York Times

The most highly disciplined and regimented public servants among us, the military, are compelled by international law to put their own moral judgment above the direct orders of their superiors.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've been compelled by federal law to allow these federally recognized tribes to open casinos because we allowed Las Vegas Nights to exist," Richard Blumenthal, the state attorney general, said in an interview Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compelled by law", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific law or regulation that necessitates the action. This adds precision and authority to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "compelled by law" without specifying the relevant legal provision. Vague references can undermine the credibility of your claim. Instead, provide context and cite the specific statute or regulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compelled by law" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone or something that is legally obligated to act in a specific way. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compelled by law" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a legal obligation or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to show it's legally bound to act. It is important to specify which specific law is involved to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "required by law", "legally bound", and "mandated by law". The register is neutral to formal, making it appropriate for diverse professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required by law

Focuses on the requirement aspect, emphasizing that the law mandates the action.

obligated by law

Highlights the legal obligation or duty to perform the action.

legally required

A simpler and more direct synonym for "compelled by law".

mandated by law

Emphasizes the authoritative and compulsory nature of the legal requirement.

legally bound

Stresses the binding legal agreement or constraint.

subject to legal requirement

Indicates that the action is conditional upon a legal necessity.

under legal obligation

Similar to obligated by law, but with a slightly more formal tone.

bound by legislation

Highlights the specific legislative act that creates the obligation.

forced by legal statute

Emphasizes that a specific law is the reason for the compulsion.

answerable to the law

Focuses on responsibility and potential legal consequences.

FAQs

What does "compelled by law" mean?

The phrase "compelled by law" means being legally required or obligated to do something. It indicates that a specific law or regulation necessitates the action.

What can I say instead of "compelled by law"?

You can use alternatives like "required by law", "legally bound", or "mandated by law" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "compelled by the law"?

While grammatically correct, "compelled by law" is more concise and commonly used. "Compelled by the law" isn't necessarily incorrect, but "compelled by law" is generally preferred.

How is "compelled by law" different from "required by law"?

While very similar, "compelled by law" often suggests a stronger sense of legal force or obligation than "required by law". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.