forced entry

USAGE SUMMARY

"forced entry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to when someone attempts to enter a building or room without permission. For example, "The police were called after reports of a forced entry into the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Forced entry?

The New York Times

They found no sign of forced entry.

Independent

There was no sign of forced entry.

The New York Times

No sign of forced entry, no clues.

The New York Times

The house revealed no indication of forced entry.

The New Yorker

There was no sign of forced entry, nor any witnesses.

The New York Times

"No physical evidence to suggest a forced entry attempt".

The New York Times

History repeats itself: first as tragedy, then as forced entry.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But Boyack says that for now, focusing on forced-entry is a more realistic goal.

Huffington Post

After this, significant variables were re-entered into forced-entry regression models.

Diabetes Care

We used a forced-entry method adjusting for variables potentially associated with risk of secondary infection.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a crime scene, use "forced entry" to indicate that a door or window was broken or otherwise manipulated to gain access.

Common error

Avoid using "forced entry" to describe situations where someone was pressured or coerced into doing something metaphorically; this phrase is typically reserved for physical intrusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forced entry" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes an act of illegally accessing a property. Ludwig's examples show its usage in crime reports, legal contexts, and security assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forced entry" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of illegally accessing a property using force. It's most frequently found in news reports and scientific articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe illegal intrusions. While alternatives like "forcible entry" exist, "forced entry" remains a clear and widely understood term for this specific action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forcible entry

Emphasizes the use of force in gaining entry.

unlawful entry

Highlights the illegal aspect of the entry.

breaking and entering

Specifically describes the act of breaking into a building with the intent to commit a crime.

illegal intrusion

Focuses on the act of unlawfully entering a space.

violent breach

Highlights the forceful and potentially harmful nature of the entry.

compulsory entry

Implies an entry that is required or enforced.

involuntary entrance

Highlights the lack of consent in the entry.

pressured entrance

Suggests that the entry was influenced or coerced.

obligatory insertion

Refers to something that must be inserted or entered without choice.

required accession

Implies a necessary or mandated form of entry or acceptance.

FAQs

How is "forced entry" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "forced entry" is used to describe a situation where someone has broken into a building or vehicle. For example, "There were signs of "forced entry" at the back door".

What's a more formal way to say "forced entry"?

A more formal alternative to "forced entry" could be "unlawful entry", which emphasizes the illegal nature of the act.

What's the difference between "forced entry" and "breaking and entering"?

"Forced entry" refers to the act of physically breaking into a structure, while "breaking and entering" is a specific crime that involves entering a building with the intent to commit a crime.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "forced entry"?

The term "forced entry" is appropriate in legal, law enforcement, and insurance contexts to describe instances where a property was accessed without permission and by force.