it compels that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it compels that" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to express a necessity or obligation, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The situation compels that we take immediate action." (This would be better phrased as "The situation compels us to take immediate action.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

MI-GRAAL reveals the largest structural common subnetwork (LCCS equals to 1870) due to it compels that the result is a complete matching for the smaller network.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It strove to compel that company to pay higher dividends that in turn could help pay down Rusal's debt, which is owed to Wall Street and European banks as well as the Russian government.

The New York Times

Government officials and regulators could compel that disclosure.

The New York Times

Sorry, but I won't try to compel that decision.

Forbes

About once every decade an education report is released that delivers new information so arresting and critically important to the challenges of its time that it compels action.

Huffington Post

As we said here in The Huffington Post back in September, "about once every decade an education report is released that delivers new information so arresting and critically important to the challenges of its time that it compels action".

Huffington Post

Here we analyse the largest reported series of focal brain lesions (n = 581) to show that it does exist, and that it compels a revision of previous lesion-deficit relationships within a wholly different inferential framework.

Brain

Ultimately, the Roman Catholic analysis must say that the evidence that belief is reasonable can never be so clear and convincing that it compels one to believe on rational grounds alone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It compels students to ensure that they are on time," says Coates.

The Guardian

Here my desire to continue reading causes me to stay inside, but it seems wrong to say that it compels me.

The New York Times

However, as Jonathan Cohn points out, Ms Landrieu's bill is perhaps more threatening in that it compels insurers to continue offering their old plans (while Mr Upton's plan is voluntary).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it compels that" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "it requires that" or "it compels one to".

Common error

Using "it compels that" can sound unnatural and confuse readers. Instead, restructure your sentence to use "compel" with a direct object, such as "it compels us to act".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it compels that" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to introduce a clause that expresses a necessary consequence or obligation. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically awkward and not commonly used. Example sentences show attempts to use this phrase to connect a cause with a resultant action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it compels that" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered incorrect. While it attempts to convey a sense of necessity or obligation, it's better replaced with alternatives such as "it requires that" or "it compels one to". Its appearance across varied sources doesn't validate its correctness, but indicates an attempt to express compulsion. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for clearer, more accepted alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it compels one to

Changes the structure to directly show who is being compelled.

it necessitates that

Replaces "compels" with "necessitates", offering a more formal and direct indication of requirement.

it requires that

Substitutes "compels" with "requires", indicating a need or demand for something.

it mandates that

Emphasizes a formal or legal obligation, replacing "compels" with "mandates".

it demands that

Uses "demands" to convey a strong requirement or expectation.

it forces one to

Highlights the act of forcing someone to do something, shifting the structure to focus on the subject being compelled.

it obliges one to

Indicates a moral or legal duty, changing the verb and structure to emphasize obligation.

it makes it imperative that

Adds emphasis to the necessity, making it clear that the action is crucial.

it leaves no option but to

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, indicating that a specific action is unavoidable.

it urges that

Replaces compels with a softer, though still insistent, urging.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it compels that" to sound more natural?

You can use alternatives like "it requires that", "it necessitates that", or "it compels one to" depending on the context.

Is "it compels that" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "it compels that" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. More appropriate options include "it compels one to" or "it requires that".

What's the difference between "it compels that" and "it compels one to"?

"It compels that" is an uncommon and awkward construction. "It compels one to" is grammatically correct and directly indicates who is being compelled, making it clearer and more effective.

When is it appropriate to use "it compels that"?

Given that it is not grammatically correct, it's generally best to avoid using "it compels that" in formal or academic writing. In informal settings, while it might be understood, there are better alternatives such as "it makes you do that".