pressure of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pressure of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of guilt or moral obligation that compel someone to act in a certain way. Example: "She felt the pressure of conscience weighing heavily on her as she considered whether to speak the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The pressure of social sanctions is more like, and more likely to draw one towards, the pressure of conscience.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As the authors of the paper cited above point out, anonymity frees people "from traditionally constraining pressures of society, conscience, morality and ethics to behave in a normative manner".Unsurprisingly, none of this is deterring venture-capitalists.

The Economist

The thinking behind the law is that the state must protect schoolchildren from pressures that might hinder their freedom of conscience once they become adults.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In this case we're talking about a real violation of women's right to privacy, or freedom of conscience," Ms. Lokshina said of the pressure to adhere to a dress code.

The New York Times

With the Reverend Walter Fauntroy and other civil-rights spokesmen, he helped to organize the Coalition of Conscience, which acted as a moral pressure group for the black protest movement.

The New Yorker

"It's important that people of conscience in the international community put pressure on the Dominican Republic," Tometi told The Huffington Post in an email.

Huffington Post

That would be a welcome move, but it should not detract from pressure to force Vietnam's government to release all prisoners of conscience, including Dr. Son.

The New York Times

In the 21st Century investors of conscience were already expressing themselves, banding together to put pressure on companies to change ESG policies through proxy voting.

Huffington Post

The move will increase pressure on Nick Clegg to give his MPs a free vote on the issue, something normally confined to issues of conscience.

The Guardian

Yet policy-focused leaks have exacerbated the backlash against Facebook, putting more pressure on the conscience of employees.

TechCrunch

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pressure of conscience", consider the specific emotion or motivation driving the pressure. Is it guilt, a sense of duty, or fear of judgment?

Common error

Avoid attributing the "pressure of conscience" to external sources when it's an internal feeling. It arises from one's own moral compass, not necessarily from external demands.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pressure of conscience" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an internal feeling of moral or ethical obligation. Ludwig examples show its use in describing motivations behind actions and decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pressure of conscience" is a noun phrase used to describe the internal feeling of moral obligation influencing behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, it’s essential to attribute the pressure correctly to internal moral factors rather than external forces. Alternatives include "moral obligation" and "ethical burden". It's commonly found in news and media, science, and business contexts, reflecting its role in discussing ethical dilemmas and moral decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilt-driven pressure

Highlights the role of guilt as the driving force behind the pressure.

moral obligation

Focuses on the duty aspect rather than the internal struggle.

prick of conscience

Describes a sudden feeling of guilt or unease.

ethical burden

Emphasizes the weight and responsibility associated with ethical considerations.

ethical responsibility

Highlights the duty to act ethically.

dictates of conscience

Emphasizes the commanding voice of one's inner moral compass.

internal moral conflict

Focuses on the conflict aspect within oneself.

compunction

A more formal and concise term for feeling guilt or regret.

moral imperative

Emphasizes the commanding nature of the moral obligation.

sense of accountability

Focuses on the feeling of being responsible for one's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "pressure of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "pressure of conscience" to describe a feeling of moral obligation that compels someone to act in a certain way. For example, "She felt the "pressure of conscience" to tell the truth."

What is a good alternative to "pressure of conscience"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moral obligation", "ethical burden", or "guilt-driven pressure".

Is it more accurate to say "pressure from conscience" or "pressure of conscience"?

"Pressure of conscience" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrasing. "Pressure from conscience" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

When might the "pressure of conscience" be a positive influence?

The "pressure of conscience" can be a positive influence when it motivates individuals to act ethically, admit mistakes, or help others, guiding them toward morally sound decisions.