have been compelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been compelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone has been forced or obligated to do something, often in a passive construction. Example: "They have been compelled to follow the new regulations due to recent changes in the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Riders have been compelled to come forward.

The New York Times - Sports

If it was a Canadian stork, it should have been compelled to acquire Dutch citizenship.

The New Yorker

He said Ms. Johnson, a nurse, could have been compelled to move closer to facilitate visits.

The New York Times

Leaders have been compelled not merely to pay lip service to their peoples' demands, but to respond to them.

The Economist

Although no teacher would have been compelled to switch, the UFT rejected the idea as "anti-union".

The Economist

But then he would have been compelled to share more of his own thoughts, and they are not his strength.

The New York Times - Books

Teachers have been compelled to conform to a ceaseless flow of directives, regulations and notes of guidance.

The Guardian

If he had declined to restructure his contract, the Jets would have been compelled to cut him.

The New York Times - Sports

And ten years later, would I have been compelled to write a memoir about that time in my life?

The New Yorker

Yet forces have been compelled to make difficult decisions about numbers of officers to achieve the level of savings expected.

The Guardian

Formerly married to James Cameron, who made "Titanic", she seems to have been compelled ever since to emulate and even surpass her one-time spouse.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been compelled", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of compulsion, whether it's a legal obligation, moral imperative, or external force.

Common error

Avoid using "have been compelled" without a clear subject performing the action of compelling. Ensure the sentence structure clarifies who or what is causing the compulsion to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been compelled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has been subjected to an external force or obligation causing them to act. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been compelled" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express that someone or something has been forced or obligated to do something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s a passive construction with neutral to formal register. It is commonly found in news, scientific and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the compulsion to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "were forced to" or "were obliged to" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were forced to

Emphasizes the imposition of an external force causing the action; uses a simpler verb.

were obliged to

Indicates a moral or legal requirement to perform an action, differing slightly in connotation.

were required to

Highlights the necessity of an action due to a rule or law, providing a more formal tone.

were necessitated to

Focuses on the unavoidable nature of the action due to circumstances.

were made to

Suggests manipulation or direct control in causing the action.

had no choice but to

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, differing in structure from the original phrase.

were under the necessity of

Presents the action as a direct result of an inescapable need.

were duty-bound to

Highlights a sense of responsibility or obligation to perform the action.

were constrained to

Indicates limitations that led to the action, differing in focus.

were driven to

Suggests a strong internal or external force compelling the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been compelled" to indicate that someone or something was forced to do something. For example, "The company "have been compelled" to change its policies due to the new regulations".

What's the difference between "have been compelled" and "have been forced"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of choice, "have been compelled" often implies a sense of duty or obligation, whereas "have been forced" suggests a more direct or forceful imposition.

What can I say instead of "have been compelled"?

You can use alternatives like "have been obliged", "have been required", or "have been necessitated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "having been compelled"?

Yes, "having been compelled" is a correct and grammatically sound participial phrase. It's often used to introduce a reason or condition, such as "Having been compelled by circumstances, he made a difficult decision".