impelled by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impelled by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong motivation or force driving someone to take action. Example: "She was impelled by a deep sense of justice to fight for the rights of the marginalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An activist is impelled by a cause and adopts it.

The Guardian - Books

Morne Morkel steamed in, impelled by the Bullring roar.

The Guardian - Sport

She did this as if impelled by a dream, as if she knew she belonged there.

The New Yorker

Malcolm suggests that subjects often feel "impelled by something stronger than reason" to talk to reporters.

The New Yorker

Torsos, legs and arms were all impelled by the music the same way.

The New York Times - Arts

Impelled by necessity or lured by profit, people moved from province to province.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Fox, impelled by a media campaign, pushed through a freedom-of-information law.

The Economist

Every vocal phrase is impelled by the emotion and dramatic intention of the moment.

The New York Times - Arts

Richardson, the androgynous outsider, swoops and carves the air, impelled by the music's dreamy flutter.

The Guardian

William Beveridge was another pioneering British socialist impelled by his Christian faith.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her performers, like the puppet, appear to be impelled by forces outside themselves.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject experiencing the impelling force is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impelled by" when a weaker influence is intended. If the action is only slightly influenced, consider using alternatives like "influenced by" or "affected by" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impelled by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the cause or driving force behind an action or state. It adds detail by explaining the reason behind something, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "New York firefighters, impelled by instinct and training, rushed to the World Trade Center yesterday to evacuate victims."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impelled by" is a prepositional phrase used to express the cause or strong motivation behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to use it when emphasizing a significant driving force and avoid it when describing weaker influences. Alternative phrases include "driven by", "motivated by", and "compelled by". Its widespread use across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and versatility in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driven by

This alternative suggests a strong internal force that causes someone to do something.

motivated by

Focuses on the incentive or reason behind an action, often implying a conscious decision.

compelled by

Similar to "impelled by", but often suggests a sense of obligation or necessity.

prompted by

Suggests a more immediate and direct cause, often in response to a specific event.

actuated by

Implies a mechanical or external force setting something into motion.

inspired by

Highlights the influence of something positive or creative on one's actions.

influenced by

Indicates a more subtle or indirect effect on someone's actions or decisions.

sparked by

Suggests an abrupt beginning or sudden motivation.

led by

Implies guidance or direction, often by an external factor or person.

instigated by

Implies the action was started or initiated by someone or something.

FAQs

How to use "impelled by" in a sentence?

Use "impelled by" to describe a strong motivating force behind an action. For example, "The government, "impelled by strategic objectives", was moving deeper into an unpopular war."

What can I say instead of "impelled by"?

You can use alternatives like "driven by", "motivated by", or "compelled by" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "impelled to" instead of "impelled by"?

While "impelled" can be followed by "to" to indicate being driven to do something, "impelled by" specifies the cause or reason behind the action. For example, "He felt impelled to act" versus "He was impelled by a sense of duty."

What's the difference between "impelled by" and "influenced by"?

"Impelled by" suggests a stronger, more direct and forceful cause, whereas "influenced by" indicates a more subtle and indirect effect. "Impelled" implies a greater sense of urgency or necessity.