he coerces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he coerces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is forcing or persuading another person to act in a certain way, often through threats or pressure. Example: "In the negotiation, he coerces his opponents into accepting unfavorable terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Once at the playing field, he coerces his protesting patient into being the umpire.

The New York Times

The scenes of Columbus's arrival and subjugation of the indigenous people, whom he coerces to convert to Roman Catholicism, are milked for inflammatory outrage.

The New York Times

Here he coerces a tailor with an unsavory past (Geoffrey Rush) into aiding his own dirty interests in a "competent, somewhat contrived espionage thriller" (Scott).

The New York Times

Trying to win over the hostile Sebastian by giving him a birthday party in Central Park, he coerces the frightened child onto a climbing wall from which he has to be rescued.

The New York Times

On the night Evie meets Russell, shortly before he coerces her into giving him oral sex, her "glitchy adolescent brain," she recalls, "was desperate for causalities, for conspiracies that drenched every word, every gesture, with meaning.

The New Yorker

Ana clearly doesn't want to sign the contract wherein she agrees to be Christian's submissive, yet he coerces her again and again.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Was he coerced into this?

The New York Times

He coerced and manipulated me into trusting him.

Independent

Or was he coerced into a suicide mission?

The New York Times

So he coerced James into bringing Prince up that night, but once he got on stage he killed it, man.

The Guardian - Music

And on Nov. 4, 2003, he coerced an aide to accompany him to polling places on a holiday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he coerces" to clearly indicate that someone is using force or pressure to make another person act against their will. Ensure the context makes it clear how the coercion is being applied.

Common error

Avoid using "he coerces" when the action is merely persuasive or suggestive, rather than forceful. Coercion implies a lack of free will on the part of the coerced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he coerces" functions as a verb phrase where "he" is the subject pronoun and "coerces" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'coerce'. It describes an action performed by the subject. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he coerces" is a grammatically sound way to describe someone forcing another to act against their will, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, be careful to use it when there's actual force or pressure, not just persuasion. Consider alternatives like "he compels", "he pressures", or "he forces" to fine-tune your meaning. Avoid overstating influence as outright coercion for accuracy. "He coerces" clearly conveys an act of compelling someone through force or pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he compels

Emphasizes the act of forcing someone to do something.

he pressures

Highlights the application of influence to make someone do something.

he forces

Focuses on the use of power to make someone act against their will.

he intimidates

Suggests the use of fear to influence someone.

he manipulates

Highlights the act of cleverly controlling someone for personal gain.

he strong-arms

Emphasizes the use of aggressive tactics.

he bullies

Focuses on the use of aggressive behavior.

he influences unduly

Highlights inappropriate or excessive influence.

he prevails upon

Suggests persuading with gentle persistence, but can imply pressure.

he impels

Implies a driving force or influence behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "he coerces" in a sentence?

You can use "he coerces" to describe a situation where someone is using force or pressure to make another person do something against their will. For example, "He coerces his employees into working overtime by threatening to fire them."

What are some alternatives to saying "he coerces"?

Alternatives to "he coerces" include "he compels", "he pressures", or "he forces", depending on the specific context and the degree of force being applied.

Is there a difference between "he coerces" and "he persuades"?

"He coerces" implies the use of force, threats, or undue pressure, while "he persuades" suggests convincing someone through reasoning or appealing to their emotions. Coercion removes free will, while persuasion respects it.

When is it appropriate to use "he coerces"?

It is appropriate to use "he coerces" when describing situations involving intimidation, threats, or manipulation to make someone act against their own wishes or better judgment.