legally compelled to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally compelled to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone is required by law to take a specific action or comply with a legal obligation. Example: "The company is legally compelled to disclose financial information to its shareholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But the board cannot be legally compelled to undertake them".

The New York Times

Unlike victim compensation, magistrates are legally compelled to impose courts charges on all criminals.

Independent

Many of the companies have protested that they are legally compelled to cooperate.

The New York Times

Technology companies maintain that they work with the intelligence agencies only when legally compelled to do so.

The Guardian

-Should citizens be legally compelled to comply with orders to evacuate in case of a strong storm?

The New York Times

If the union survives such an appeal, the hotel would be legally compelled to bargain a contract.

The Guardian

Under the Court of Appeals decision, New York State is legally compelled to address inequities only in New York City.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

While you can't legally be compelled to give up your passcode, some analysts say, courts have ruled that law enforcement can compel you to give up your fingerprint under certain conditions.

The Washington Post

In some jurisdictions that require shareholder identities to be reported, a loophole is created where the beneficial owner may appoint a nominee to be the shareholder, and that nominee cannot legally be compelled to reveal the identity of the beneficial owner.

Wikipedia

WASHINGTON -- President Obama will use his first Oval Office speech Tuesday night to outline a plan to legally compel BP to create an escrow account to compensate businesses and individuals for their losses from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, administration officials said on Sunday.

The New York Times

Rather, their practical effect is to legally compel Christians to accept, endorse, and even promote messages, ideas, and events that violate their faith.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally compelled to", ensure the context clearly establishes the source of the legal obligation. Specify the law, regulation, or court order that necessitates the action.

Common error

Avoid using "legally compelled to" without providing context for the legal requirement. For example, instead of saying "The company was legally compelled to act", specify "The company was legally compelled to act according to the Clean Air Act".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally compelled to" functions as a modifier indicating a state of legal obligation or necessity. It is used to describe situations where an entity or individual is forced by law to undertake a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legally compelled to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a legal obligation or requirement. As Ludwig AI indicates, its function is to convey that someone or something is forced by law to act in a particular way. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register, emphasizing the absence of choice due to legal mandates. When employing this phrase, ensure that the source of the legal obligation is clearly identified. Some good alternatives are "required by law to", "obligated by law to" or "legally required to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally required to

Simple synonym, replacing compel with require.

required by law to

Focuses on the legal requirement aspect, similar to the original phrase but uses simpler vocabulary.

obligated by law to

Emphasizes the legal obligation or duty, maintaining a formal tone.

legally obliged to

British English equivalent, substituting 'compelled' with 'obliged'.

legally bound to

Highlights the legally binding nature of the requirement.

under legal obligation to

More explicitly states the existence of a legal obligation.

legally mandated to

Similar to "mandated by law to", but includes 'legally' for emphasis.

required to by statute

Specifically mentions a statute as the source of the requirement, adding a degree of precision.

mandated by law to

Implies a more forceful or official command from the law.

forced by law to

Emphasizes the lack of choice due to legal pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "legally compelled to" in a sentence?

Use "legally compelled to" to indicate a legal obligation or requirement. For example, "The company is "legally compelled to" disclose financial information".

What are some alternatives to "legally compelled to"?

You can use alternatives like "required by law to", "obligated by law to", or "legally bound to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "legally compelled to" and "legally required to"?

While similar, ""legally compelled to"" often implies a stronger sense of external force or demand, whereas "legally required to" is more general. Both indicate a legal obligation.

When is it appropriate to use "legally compelled to" in writing?

Use "legally compelled to" in formal writing, legal documents, or professional contexts when discussing situations where a legal obligation exists. It is less common in informal settings.