force him to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "force him to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that someone is being made to do something against their will. For example, "My manager told me to force him to sign the paper against his will."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A conviction would force him to.

The New York Times

"You want to force him to drive".

The New York Times

I can't force him to look frightened".

The New York Times

Events will force him to confront much of it.

The Economist

If health problems force him to withdraw, so be it.

The New York Times - Arts

"And the court didn't force him to reveal it.

The New York Times

Probably only Mr Zuma could force him to.

The Economist

Not even pain could force him to make a sound.

The New Yorker

"But it's our job to force him to make turnovers".

The New York Times - Sports

That will force him to get it quickly".

The New York Times

We tried to force him to write new material.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "force him to" with phrases like "encourage him to" or "persuade him to" if your goal is to suggest influence rather than coercion.

Common error

Avoid using "force him to" in situations where a more gentle or persuasive approach is appropriate. Using it insensitively can imply a disregard for someone's autonomy or feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "force him to" functions as a verb phrase introducing an infinitive. It indicates the act of compelling someone (him) to perform a particular action, often against their will. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

36%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "force him to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of compelling someone to do something, frequently against their will. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most often in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral register. While versatile, it's essential to consider the potentially negative connotations and choose alternative phrasing, like "persuade him to", in more sensitive contexts to avoid unintended implications. Overall, understanding the nuances of "force him to" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compel him to

This implies a strong urging or necessity, often from a moral or legal standpoint.

oblige him to

Suggests a legal or moral duty to do something.

require him to

Indicates a formal or mandatory expectation.

make him do

A more direct and less formal way of expressing compulsion.

pressure him to

Implies influence or persuasion, rather than direct force.

coerce him into

Suggests the use of threats or intimidation.

constrain him to

Implies restriction and limited choice.

drive him to

Suggests a strong motivation, possibly due to external circumstances.

bully him into

Suggests intimidation and aggressive pressure.

maneuver him to

Implies clever or strategic manipulation to achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "force him to" to sound less aggressive?

Consider using phrases like "persuade him to", "encourage him to", or "motivate him to", depending on the context and the degree of influence you want to convey.

What's the difference between "force him to" and "compel him to"?

"Force him to" generally implies a direct exertion of power or pressure, while "compel him to" often suggests a stronger moral or legal obligation. The choice depends on whether the emphasis is on the action or the reason behind it.

Is it ever appropriate to use "force him to" in a positive context?

It's rare to use "force him to" positively, as it typically carries negative connotations of coercion. However, it could be appropriate if someone is being "forced" to do something beneficial for themselves, even if they are reluctant. However this is still less common and might be confusing for some readers.

What are some common situations where you might use "force him to"?

You might use "force him to" when describing legal requirements, disciplinary actions, or situations where someone is resisting a necessary course of action. For example, "The court can "require him to" attend therapy."