compelling to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compelling to know" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when expressing a strong interest or curiosity about a particular piece of information or topic. Example: "The history of ancient civilizations is compelling to know, as it shapes our understanding of modern society."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this context, it is compelling to know how informal and spontaneous healthcare provision –namely pharmaceutical supply - has adapted to state degeneration and the subsequent benefits or dangers of such adaptation.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bound by this necessity as they are, autobiographers' best hope of making their work compelling is to know what to include and what to ignore, and also to connect small, personal dots to larger ones.

The Guardian - Books

But there is a compelling need to know whether some of the men and women who did the grunt work in the creation of a fantastic new industry sacrificed their health and their lives in the process.

The New York Times

Representative Rush Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, who has been one of the F.B.I.'s most dogged critics on the case, said he found the evidence against Dr. Ivins "compelling" but wanted to know why investigators had remained focused on Dr. Hatfill for so long and why they are so certain that Dr. Ivins acted alone.

The New York Times

This is a compelling curiosity wanting to know who is calling or texting.

HuffPost

She said, "We could approach the Treasury Secretary, but it's much more compelling for the public to know that their wishes are being delivered to the President, and, if he wants it done, it's within his power".

The New Yorker

It's almost like a letter from a couple of old friends--a couple of old friends who had a long, compelling intellectual journey, came to know some of the great world leaders of this century, and had 60 years of happy, supportive marriage.

Harvard University

Samir has compelling personal reasons for wanting to know.

The New York Times

But he also succeeds in making a complicated subject compelling, and if you want to know how to insert drama into dusty old economics, imagine Peston on a busy Parisian street at dusk, sweeping into shot like Bernard Henri-Levy in a flowing coat and floppy scarf, pronouncing the phrase "SAVAGE COLOSSAL AUSTERITY" to the camera.

The Guardian

When it was finally over Petersen became contemplative, saying, "This was like a great play with compelling characters that we got to know as worthwhile human beings.

Los Angeles Times

Now, more than ever, brands need to know how to tell compelling stories to reach these audiences.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compelling to know" when you want to emphasize the inherent interest or urgent need to understand something, rather than just stating its importance. For instance, a mystery novel's plot is "compelling to know", as opposed to "important to know."

Common error

While acceptable, "compelling to know" can sound slightly awkward in very formal contexts. Opt for alternatives like "essential to understand" or "critical to comprehend" in academic papers or business reports for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compelling to know" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies an implied subject, expressing a quality that makes something worth knowing. Ludwig indicates that it's not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compelling to know" is a phrase used to express a strong sense of interest and necessity in understanding something. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests it's not a very common expression. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase plus an infinitive, conveying that the information is not just important but also captivating or intriguing. Consider using alternatives like "fascinating to learn" or "important to understand" in more formal contexts to avoid sounding awkward. It appears mostly in news media, scientific and academic contexts. Although "compelling" suggests a natural and unavoidable enthusiasm, it is important to consider the reader or listener and the overall tone to decide if this expression is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fascinating to learn

Replaces "compelling" with "fascinating", focusing on the engaging nature of learning something.

important to understand

Shifts the focus to the importance of understanding something, rather than its inherent interest.

essential to grasp

Emphasizes the necessity of fully understanding a concept.

intriguing to discover

Highlights the excitement of uncovering new information.

critical to comprehend

Focuses on the critical nature of understanding a particular subject.

vital to recognize

Emphasizes the importance of recognizing something.

imperative to realize

Highlights the urgent need to realize something.

worth knowing

Simple and direct way to express that something is valuable to know.

good to be aware of

Focuses on the benefit of being informed about something.

necessary to be informed about

Highlights the necessity of being informed.

FAQs

How can I use "compelling to know" in a sentence?

You can use "compelling to know" when you want to express a strong interest or curiosity about a piece of information. For example: "The reasons behind the historical event are "compelling to know", as they shape our understanding of the present."

What are some alternatives to "compelling to know"?

You can use alternatives like "fascinating to learn", "important to understand", or "intriguing to discover" depending on the context.

Is "compelling to know" grammatically correct?

The phrase "compelling to know" is grammatically acceptable, although not very common in modern English. It expresses a sense of urgency or fascination in understanding something.

When is it appropriate to use "compelling to know"?

Use "compelling to know" when you want to highlight both the necessity and the inherent interest in understanding something. It's suitable when the information is not just important, but also captivating or intriguing.