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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Causative verbs
Hello.
I would like to know the semantic difference among "force", "compel" and "oblige".
He was forced / compelled / obliged to pay taxes.
I would like to know the semantic difference among "force", "compel" and "oblige".
He was forced / compelled / obliged to pay taxes.
Top answer
He was forced to pay taxes - He was made to pay taxes he (by somebody else) had no choice. He was compelled to buy her a ring - He had to buy her a ring because he loved her so much. (He did it because he wnated nothing else at that moment).
- He was forced to pay taxes - He was made to pay taxes he (by somebody else) had no choice.
- He was compelled to buy her a ring - He had to buy her a ring because he loved her so much.
- (He did it because he wnated nothing else at that moment).
- He was obliged to pay.
- (He knew that he should pay / it was right he paid).
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7 Answers
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He was forced to pay taxes - He was made to pay taxes he (by somebody else) had no choice.
He was compelled to buy her a ring - He had to buy her a ring because he loved her so much. (He did it because he wnated nothing else at that moment).
He was obliged to pay. (He knew that he should pay / it was right he paid).
He was compelled to buy her a ring - He had to buy her a ring because he loved her so much. (He did it because he wnated nothing else at that moment).
He was obliged to pay. (He knew that he should pay / it was right he paid).
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Thank you for your explanation.
In the sentences you gave, is it possible to add by phrase like by her?
He was forced to pay taxes by his parents.
He was compelled to buy her a ring by the clerck.
He was obliged to pay by his parents.
Are these sentences acceptabale?
Thank you.
In the sentences you gave, is it possible to add by phrase like by her?
He was forced to pay taxes by his parents.
He was compelled to buy her a ring by the clerck.
He was obliged to pay by his parents.
Are these sentences acceptabale?
Thank you.
00
That's the idea, certainly, but the sentences need to be a bit more reasonable:
He was forced to pay taxes by the government.
He was compelled to buy her a ring by his future in-laws.
He was obliged to pay by the judge's decision.
He was forced to pay taxes by the government.
He was compelled to buy her a ring by his future in-laws.
He was obliged to pay by the judge's decision.
00
Would you explain the difference between "force "and "compel"?
a.He was forced to pay taxes.
b.He was compelled tp pay taxes.
Thank you for your reply.
a.He was forced to pay taxes.
b.He was compelled tp pay taxes.
Thank you for your reply.
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If "force", "compel" and "oblige" are used in the following way, do you feel the difference among them?
a. He was forced to sell his house by a law.
b. He was compelled to sell his house by a law.
c. He was obliged to sell his house by a law.
Thank you for your cooperation.
a. He was forced to sell his house by a law.
b. He was compelled to sell his house by a law.
c. He was obliged to sell his house by a law.
Thank you for your cooperation.
00
The first two are equivalent - another synonym is mandate.
Oblige has the nuance of moral responsibility and being willing although reluctant to comply.
Oblige has the nuance of moral responsibility and being willing although reluctant to comply.
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