forced to withdraw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forced to withdraw" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "After the scandal was made public, the mayor was forced to withdraw from the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The Pakistanis were eventually forced to withdraw).

The New Yorker

Juneau was forced to withdraw.

The New York Times

The government was forced to withdraw the plan.

The Guardian

A three-hour battle ensued before the enormously outnumbered Belgian soldiers were forced to withdraw.

Independent

In 1956 the Israelis were quickly forced to withdraw from Sinai by American (and Russian) pressure.

The Economist

But he was forced to withdraw back into Mongolia a few days later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Germans gained possession of the town, and the British were forced to withdraw.

Independent

In addition, most of the French army was forced to withdraw from Naples.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fighting raged for almost an hour before the regiment was forced to withdraw.

The New York Times

The British & French were forced to withdraw & thousands were killed on both sides.

The New Yorker

In 488 part of the harassed Norican population was forced to withdraw to Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forced to withdraw", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what exerted the force leading to the withdrawal. Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "forced to withdraw" in a way that obscures who or what is doing the forcing. Example: Instead of "The troops were forced to withdraw", specify: "The enemy's superior firepower forced the troops to withdraw."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forced to withdraw" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something was compelled to retreat or leave a position. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in English. This is supported by examples where various entities, such as armies, individuals, or organizations, were compelled to retreat due to external pressures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

35%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forced to withdraw" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to describe situations where an entity is compelled to retreat or disengage due to external pressures. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what exerted the force leading to the withdrawal. Alternatives include "compelled to retreat" or "obliged to pull back", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no choice but to retreat

Directly expresses the lack of alternative options, emphasizing the unavoidable nature of the retreat.

compelled to retreat

Highlights the element of being 'compelled' rather than simply 'forced', suggesting a strong internal or external pressure.

under duress to depart

Emphasizes the stress or pressure under which the departure took place.

obliged to pull back

Emphasizes a sense of duty or obligation leading to the withdrawal.

ordered to fall back

Indicates a command or directive mandating a strategic retreat.

necessitated to retreat

Indicates that the withdrawal was an unavoidable consequence of circumstances.

required to disengage

Implies a formal requirement or procedure necessitating the disengagement.

constrained to remove oneself

Focuses on the limitation of options, leaving removal as the only viable path.

coerced into leaving

Highlights the use of coercion or pressure tactics that led to departure.

driven to back down

Suggests that the subject was pressured or influenced significantly, leading to backing down.

FAQs

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

You can use "forced to withdraw" to describe a situation where someone or something is compelled to retreat or leave a place or situation. For example, "Due to heavy losses, the army was "forced to withdraw" from the battlefield".

What are some alternatives to "forced to withdraw"?

Some alternatives include "compelled to retreat", "obliged to pull back", or "had no choice but to retreat", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was forced to withdraw" or "had to withdraw"?

"Was forced to withdraw" emphasizes the external pressure or compulsion leading to the withdrawal, whereas "had to withdraw" simply indicates necessity. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the cause of the withdrawal.

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

"Forced to withdraw" indicates that the action was not voluntary but compelled by external factors. Conversely, "chose to withdraw" implies a deliberate decision to retreat or leave a situation.