were compelled

USAGE SUMMARY

"were compelled" is a correct and usable form of a verb in written English.
It is the past tense of the verb "to compel" and is most often used when referring to something that was done out of a sense of duty or obligation. For example: "The soldiers were compelled to take up arms in defense of their country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were compelled to participate in them.

The New Yorker

They were compelled to move again.

The New York Times

Some were compelled to do so.

The Guardian

They didn't mean to but were compelled.

The New Yorker

We were compelled to do it.

The Guardian - Music

Human rights workers were compelled by his story, as well.

The New York Times

We regret that we were compelled to take this action.

The New York Times

Considering the results so obtained, we were compelled to modify some parameters.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems

From June 2001 to February 2002, Brazilians were compelled to curtail electricity use by 20%.

Energy Policy

When the Indians had gold they were compelled to part with it; when they had none they were compelled to hunt for it.

The New York Times - Books

The two most publicized new channels, both all-comedy entities, were compelled to merge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were compelled", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the compulsion, whether it's a legal obligation, moral duty, or external force.

Common error

Avoid using "were compelled" when the action was purely voluntary. The phrase implies an external or internal pressure that necessitates the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were compelled" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence was subjected to an external force or internal obligation that necessitated a certain action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were compelled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies an action performed due to external force or internal obligation. As Ludwig AI explains, it is most often used when referring to something that was done out of a sense of duty or obligation. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, this phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "were forced to", "were obliged to", or "were required to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remembering that this implies a lack of free will, it's vital to use it accurately, considering whether other options such as "persuaded" may be more correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were under compulsion to

A slightly more emphatic version of the original phrase, highlighting the external pressure.

were forced to

Indicates a direct application of force, rather than an internal sense of obligation.

were obliged to

Suggests a sense of duty or legal requirement, slightly more formal than "were compelled".

were required to

Implies a formal requirement or rule, often by an external authority.

had to

A simpler, more general way of expressing necessity or obligation.

were made to

Emphasizes the action of another party causing the obligation.

were necessitated to

Highlights that the circumstances demanded the action.

were duty-bound to

Stresses a moral or ethical obligation.

were under an obligation to

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing a duty or responsibility.

were beholden to

Suggests a feeling of gratitude or indebtedness that drives the action.

FAQs

How can I use "were compelled" in a sentence?

Use "were compelled" to indicate that someone was forced or felt obligated to do something. For example, "They "were compelled" to attend the meeting due to a company policy."

What can I say instead of "were compelled"?

You can use alternatives like "were forced to", "were obliged to", or "were required to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "were compelled" or "had to"?

"Were compelled" is more formal and suggests a stronger sense of obligation than the more general phrase "had to". Choose based on the desired tone and context.

What is the difference between "were compelled" and "were persuaded"?

"Were compelled" implies a lack of choice due to external or internal pressure, while "were persuaded" suggests that someone was convinced to do something voluntarily.