he was compelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was compelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was forced or driven to do something against their will or inclination. Example: "Despite his reservations, he was compelled to accept the job offer due to financial pressures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In January 1747 he was compelled to resign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was compelled to let that film open.

The New Yorker

He was compelled to show them, with nothing held back.

The Guardian - Arts

He was compelled to take such a decision".

The Guardian

In December, he was compelled by subpoena to spend eight hours giving handwriting samples to investigators.

The New Yorker

He was compelled in 1632 to resign the presidency of the New England Company.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Once he settled on a truth, he was compelled to unsettle it," Saul writes.

The New Yorker

When he was in America, he was compelled to procure his own food.

The New Yorker

He said he was compelled to speak out in defense of his former co-worker.

The New York Times

He was compelled to recognize that "reality is a world … capable of this".

The New Yorker

But, his application denied, after graduation he was compelled to enlist in the Army.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was compelled", consider the strength of the compulsion. If the person had some degree of choice, alternatives like "he felt obligated" or "he was inclined" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "he was compelled by himself" as it's redundant. The passive voice already implies an external force. Instead, clearly state the external force: "He was compelled by the circumstances" is correct, while "He was compelled by himself" is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was compelled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject was acted upon by an external force, leading to a specific action. This aligns with Ludwig's affirmation of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was compelled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone acted under duress or obligation. Ludwig confirms its validity, showing its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. While alternatives like "he was forced" and "he was obliged" exist, "he was compelled" effectively conveys a sense of external pressure. It's important to use it accurately, avoiding redundancies and ensuring clarity about the source of compulsion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was forced

Directly indicates a lack of choice or willingness.

he was obliged

Implies a sense of duty or moral imperative.

he was required

Suggests a formal rule or regulation.

he was made

Emphasizes the external force causing the action.

he had to

Simple and direct expression of necessity.

he was bound

Indicates a legal or moral obligation.

he was constrained

Highlights the limitations or restrictions leading to the action.

he was necessitated

Suggests that the action was an unavoidable consequence.

he was pressured

Implies external influence pushing him to act.

he was influenced

Shows the effect of some external factor on his decision.

FAQs

How can I use "he was compelled" in a sentence?

The phrase "he was compelled" indicates that someone was forced or obliged to do something. For example, "He was compelled to resign due to the scandal" shows he didn't do it willingly.

What can I say instead of "he was compelled"?

You can use alternatives like "he was forced", "he was obliged", or "he was required" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he was compelled to" or "he was compelled to doing"?

The correct form is "he was compelled to do something". The infinitive form is required. "He was compelled to resign" is correct, while "he was compelled to resigning" is not.

What's the difference between "he was compelled" and "he was persuaded"?

"He was compelled" implies a lack of choice and external pressure, while "he was persuaded" suggests that he was convinced through reasoning or argument. Persuasion involves a degree of willing agreement, whereas compulsion does not.