under coercion

USAGE SUMMARY

"under coercion" is correct and usable in written English.
It means someone was forced to do something they didn't want to, either by an external force or threat. An example sentence could be, "He handed over his money under coercion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"In Buner, people are living under coercion and in fear," General Abbas said.

The New York Times

He said she had urged him — under coercion, he believes — to stop working with Atajurt, the activist group.

The New York Times

We know there is a difference between doing something under coercion or because you decide yourself you want to.

The Guardian

Chiefly, the court objected to excluding suspects from trials and allowing hearsay and evidence obtained under coercion.

The New York Times

The client whose links Massey was monitoring had made one porn video, in her late teens, under coercion.

The New Yorker

Sainsbury told a court in Bogota on Thursday morning that she "didn't want to take any package anywhere" but did so under coercion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Pryce's case is that she did so under marital coercion.

The Guardian

Under Japanese coercion, Emperor Kojong then abdicated in favour of his son, Emperor Sunjong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The CBO expected millions of relatively young and healthy people to buy exchange plans under government coercion.

The Washington Post

John Huang, having been given a walk and thus under no coercion to talk, will remember nothing about Clinton-Gore involvement.

The New York Times

Ms. Pryce maintained that she had acted under "marital coercion" and underwent two trials in quick succession.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under coercion", clearly specify the source or nature of the coercive force to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "under coercion" when the situation involves mere persuasion or influence. The phrase implies a significant deprivation of free will, not simply a change of mind.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under coercion" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the circumstances in which an action is performed involuntarily due to force or threats. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under coercion" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adverbial phrase that signifies actions taken involuntarily due to force or threats. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to specify the source of the coercion to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""under duress"" or ""under compulsion"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "under coercion" effectively communicates a lack of free will in an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under duress

Similar to "under coercion", but often implies a more immediate and severe threat.

under compulsion

Suggests a strong internal or external force compelling action.

under threat

Similar to under duress, but often implies a less immediate and severe threat.

under pressure

A more general term indicating influence or persuasion that may not necessarily remove free will completely.

under constraint

Implies limitations or restrictions that force a certain behavior.

by force

Highlights the use of physical power to compel action.

against one's will

Emphasizes the lack of consent or desire in the action.

by intimidation

Focuses on the use of fear to control someone's actions.

through manipulation

Highlights the subtle or deceptive tactics used to influence someone.

at gunpoint

Specifically indicates the use of firearms to force compliance.

FAQs

How can I use "under coercion" in a sentence?

You can use "under coercion" to describe actions taken when someone is forced to do something against their will, such as, "The confession was obtained "under coercion" and therefore inadmissible."

What are some alternatives to saying "under coercion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "under duress", "under compulsion", or "against one's will".

Is it correct to say someone acted "under coercion"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that someone's actions were not voluntary due to external pressure or threats. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What's the difference between "under coercion" and "under pressure"?

"Under coercion" implies a significant deprivation of free will, often involving threats or force. "Under pressure" suggests influence or persuasion that might affect someone's decision but doesn't necessarily eliminate their choice.