has been compelled

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been compelled" is an acceptable grammatical structure in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has been forced to do something, usually due to external influences or circumstances. For example: "Due to the difficult economic conditions, she has been compelled to look for a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In either case, the defendant has been compelled to aid the State in his prosecution.

Cornell University

For now, no country has been compelled to turn off the heat or curtail electricity use.

The New York Times

Mr. Donziger has been compelled to surrender a diary detailing secret meetings with Ecuadorean judges.

The New York Times

Already, the United States military has been compelled to adapt its one-month-old military campaign.

The New York Times

Recently, she has been compelled to plant something with absolutely no ornamental value: a four-foot-high wire fence.

The New York Times

When asked why he has been compelled to do this work, Mr. Zanis was matter-of-fact.

The New York Times

Yet he has been compelled to confront the whispers of corruption - particularly in regard to bung-ridden transfers.

The Guardian - Sport

Under European employment regulations, Reliance has been compelled to offer employment to all G4S staff involved in removals.

The Guardian

This is not the first time Phelps has been compelled to issue a public apology for his behavior.

The New York Times - Sports

It should now be clear that, in order to strike down the New York law, the Court has been compelled to rewrite completely the Fourth Amendment.

Cornell University

Like Collison, Mayo is a fast, extremely athletic player who until now has been compelled to fit into a system not compatible with his skills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been compelled", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the force or circumstance that caused the compulsion. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "has been compelled" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "The company has been compelled to lay off employees", consider "Economic conditions compelled the company to lay off employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been compelled" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence was forced or required to do something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English, showing its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been compelled" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that an action was not voluntary but rather imposed by external factors. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its presence is significant across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the compelling force and consider if active voice might provide a more direct alternative. Be also mindful of the risk of overuse. This thorough analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, aims to guide you in effectively integrating "has been compelled" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was forced

Replaces "has been compelled" with a more direct expression of force or obligation.

was obligated

Indicates a formal or moral duty, similar to being compelled but often implying a pre-existing commitment.

was required

Suggests a necessity or requirement, often by a rule or regulation.

was obliged

Similar to "was obligated", implying a sense of duty or moral constraint.

had to

A more informal way of expressing necessity or obligation.

was made to

Emphasizes the action of forcing someone to do something.

was constrained

Highlights the limitations or restrictions that led to the action.

was necessitated

Focuses on the circumstances that made the action unavoidable.

was driven

Implies a strong external force or motivation behind the action.

was induced

Suggests persuasion or influence leading to the action.

FAQs

How can I use "has been compelled" in a sentence?

Use "has been compelled" to indicate that someone or something was forced to take a specific action due to external pressures or circumstances. For example, "The government "has been compelled" to raise taxes due to the economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to "has been compelled"?

You can use alternatives such as "was forced", "was obligated", or "was required" to convey similar meanings. Each alternative carries slightly different connotations, so choose the one that best fits your context. For example, consider using "was forced" when emphasizing a lack of choice.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "has been compelled"?

While "has been compelled" is grammatically correct, using an active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The decision "has been compelled" by circumstances", you could say "Circumstances compelled the decision."

What's the difference between "has been compelled" and "was obligated"?

"Has been compelled" suggests a force or necessity, while "was obligated" implies a duty or commitment. "He "has been compelled" to resign" suggests external pressure, whereas "He "was obligated" to resign" suggests a prior agreement or ethical responsibility.