forced to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forced to observe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is compelled to watch or notice something, often against their will. Example: "During the meeting, I felt forced to observe the tension between the two colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Working in film, Waters was forced to observe the minimal realism of actual streets and bedrooms.

The New Yorker

In court, he looks "almost bored, like a clerk wandered into the wrong hall, forced to observe mundane proceedings".

The Guardian - Books

Outside her house the woman was forced to observe many restrictions, such as the wearing of a veil.

Britannica

Women have been forced to observe a strict dress code, while those accused of petty crimes like theft have had their hands cut off.

Independent

When he was first questioned, his attending lawyer was forced to "observe" from a room where he could neither see nor hear anything.

The New York Times

She films, along with the styles and manners of Mongolian society, the strong but imprecise influence that exposure to Mongolian culture has upon the Western women forced to observe it and participate in it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Indonesian officials said they were trying to educate security forces to observe human rights.

The New York Times

The final selection, expected to be announced at a NATO summit in November, will allow U.S. and NATO forces to observe the performance of Afghan forces in relatively benign environments.

The Washington Post

Buchholz has issued an apology to the officer following the incident in Darwin last August during a taxpayer-funded exchange with the Australian defence force to observe the military exercise Pitch Black in 2018.

The Guardian

A military news release said the commander of the prison task force, Rear Adm. John W. Smith Jr., ordered the raid at 5 10 a.m. on Saturday "to ensure the health and safety" of detainees because prisoners in the communal areas, where guards rarely enter, had covered surveillance cameras, glass partitions and windows, restricting the ability of the guard force to observe them.

The New York Times

The violence continued on Thursday, as thousands of Iraqis were reported to be converging on Najaf, with more than 74 people dying in gun and mortar attacks in the holy city and nearby Kufa.Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, said he had ordered his forces to observe a 24-hour ceasefire, starting at 3pm on Thursday, to help Mr Sistani's talks with Mr Sadr's followers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forced to observe" to convey a lack of agency in the act of observing. It emphasizes external pressure or circumstances that leave no choice but to watch or notice something.

Common error

Avoid using "forced to observe" when the subject willingly observes, even if under some form of indirect social pressure. "Choosing to observe" implies a degree of autonomy that "forced to observe" negates.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forced to observe" functions as a verb phrase indicating compulsion in the act of observation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It often appears with a passive voice structure, highlighting the subject's lack of agency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forced to observe" is grammatically sound and used to express a lack of choice in the act of observing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Its occurrence is most common in news and media, scientific articles, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "compelled to watch" and "obliged to witness". When using "forced to observe", ensure that the subject truly lacks agency in the situation, avoiding its use when the observation is voluntary or only under indirect pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compelled to watch

Changes the verb "observe" to "watch", implying a more passive form of observation under duress.

obliged to witness

Replaces "forced" with "obliged" and "observe" with "witness", suggesting a duty or obligation to observe something.

made to look on

Uses a more colloquial expression, indicating a lack of control over one's gaze.

constrained to view

Emphasizes the constraint or restriction leading to the act of observing or viewing something.

required to monitor

Shifts the meaning towards a need to monitor something rather than simply observe.

under pressure to notice

Highlights the pressure or coercion involved in making someone notice something.

had no choice but to see

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, focusing on the visual aspect of observation.

subjected to observation

Shifts the focus to the act of being subjected to a situation, rather than the active role of observing.

involuntarily exposed to

Focuses on the involuntary aspect and suggests a broader form of exposure beyond just visual observation.

against one's will to witness

Highlights the unwilling nature of the act of witnessing something.

FAQs

How can I use "forced to observe" in a sentence?

You can use "forced to observe" to describe a situation where someone is compelled to watch or notice something, often against their will. For example: "The lawyer was "forced to observe" the proceedings from a separate room".

What are some alternatives to "forced to observe"?

Alternatives include "compelled to watch", "obliged to witness", or "made to look on" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "forced to observe"?

It's appropriate when someone has no other option but to witness or notice something, often unpleasant or unwanted. The phrase emphasizes a lack of agency in the act of observation.

What's the difference between "forced to observe" and "chose to observe"?

"Forced to observe" implies a lack of choice, while "chose to observe" suggests a deliberate decision to watch or notice something. They are antonyms in this context.