force through

USAGE SUMMARY

"force through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you describe someone making something happen despite obstacles or difficulties. For example: "He forced through the new policy despite resistance from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The minister, says Mr Sakakibara, is a political amateur attempting to force through half-measures.

The Economist

"We will force through reforms, and there will be no sacred cows," Mr. Kato said.

The New York Times

It cleaves to its numerical targets, leading it to force through bad mergers.

The Economist

In the 1990s, for example, Republicans in Congress tried to force through sharp cuts in Medicare.

The New York Times

It is also a way to force through improvements in the firm's governance and business culture.

The Economist

Suddenly, the stage was the life force through which Mr. Teshigawara glided like liquid mercury.

The New York Times - Arts

Competition law is a weapon often used by bureaucracies to force through change.

The Guardian - Opinion

But bosses reiterated their determination to force through changes that have led unions to strike.

The Guardian

Should Cameron force through his plans, it is unclear how Facebook would proceed.

The Guardian - Tech

Later in the over, Rogers has time to force through three runs through the covers.

The Guardian - Sport

The prime minister could have attempted to force through the proposal using the Parliament Act.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "force through", ensure the context clearly indicates the presence of resistance or difficulty that needs to be overcome. The phrase implies a degree of effort or imposition.

Common error

Avoid using "force through" when a more neutral term like "implement" or "achieve" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can create an unnecessarily adversarial tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "force through" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of enacting or implementing something, often a plan, policy, or change, despite significant resistance or opposition. As Ludwig AI shows, the expression commonly appears in contexts where overcoming obstacles is central.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "force through" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies the action of compelling something to happen despite resistance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's best to use it when the element of overcoming opposition is central to the message. Alternatives like ""push through"" or ""implement"" may be more suitable in neutral situations. Be mindful of overuse, as it can create an unnecessarily adversarial tone. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources, indicating its established usage in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push through

Implies effort to advance something towards a goal despite difficulty, but without necessarily indicating the use of coercion or overwhelming strength.

ram through

Suggests moving something through quickly and forcefully, often with disregard for potential damage or opposition.

bulldoze through

Indicates clearing a path or achieving a goal by aggressively overcoming obstacles and opposition.

steamroll through

Conveys overwhelming opposition and achieving a goal by sheer force and momentum.

coerce into

Focuses on the act of persuading someone to do something against their will.

muscle through

Emphasizes the use of physical strength or power to overcome an obstacle or complete a task.

strong-arm into

Implies using aggressive tactics or threats to force someone to comply.

railroad through

Suggests pushing a decision or action forward without proper consideration or debate.

make happen

General way of saying something gets done. Lacks the coercive undertones and suggests accomplishment by any means. It's less forceful.

get approved

Focuses specifically on achieving approval, which may involve persuasion rather than force.

FAQs

What does "force through" mean?

"Force through" means to make something happen or succeed despite opposition or difficulty. It implies using effort or power to overcome resistance.

How can I use "force through" in a sentence?

You can say, "The government attempted to "force through" the new policy despite public disapproval", or "The manager had to "force through" the changes in order to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "force through"?

Alternatives include "push through", "ram through", or "bulldoze through", depending on the level of intensity and resistance involved.

When is it inappropriate to use "force through"?

It's best to avoid "force through" in contexts where a neutral or collaborative approach is desired. Using it can imply a lack of consensus or that actions are being imposed without proper consideration. Use gentler alternatives like "implement" or "achieve" in more neutral situations.