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Prepositions after verbs

Coerce into, by, in, for, or from?

Coerce is most commonly followed by into plus an action or agreement. Other prepositions usually introduce method, place, reason, or source.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows coerce?

Use coerce into when forcing someone to do something. By often introduces the method used. In, for, and from are usually separate adjuncts rather than fixed combinations with coerce.

They coerced him into signing the contract.
The confession was obtained by coercing witnesses.
She was coerced in a private meeting.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
coerce into + action

Forcing someone to do something

Into introduces the action, agreement, or state that someone is forced into.

The scammer coerced victims into sharing passwords.
They coerced her into making a false statement.
2
coerce someone by + method

Showing the means of pressure

By introduces the method or tactic used for coercion.

The group coerced members by threatening to expel them.
He coerced voters by spreading false rumours.
3
coerce in + place/situation

Adding location or context

In is not a standard complement after coerce. It usually introduces the place or situation where coercion happened.

The witness was coerced in a police interview.
They were coerced in front of the committee.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
coerce into
They coerced him into confessing.
force someone to take an action
coerce by
The leader coerced workers by withholding pay.
show the method of coercion
coerce in
She was coerced in a closed meeting.
in introduces the setting, not a fixed verb pattern
coerce for
They coerced him for political reasons.
for introduces purpose or reason
coerce from
The gang coerced money from local shops.
from introduces the source from which something is obtained

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in for forced action

Use into before an action or result.

✕ They coerced him in signing the form. ✓ They coerced him into signing the form.

Confusing by with into

By introduces the method, not the action forced on someone.

✕ She coerced him by resigning. ✓ She coerced him into resigning.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company coerced employees ___ accepting lower wages.
2. The official coerced voters ___ making threats.
3. The witness was coerced ___ a private office.

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Frequently asked questions

Is coerce into always followed by a verb?

Often it is followed by a gerund such as signing or confessing, but it can also be followed by a noun phrase like coerce someone into marriage.

Can I use coerce with from?

Yes, especially when something is forced out of a person or group, such as money or information.

Is coerce in a standard verb-preposition pattern?

No. In usually introduces location or context rather than forming a fixed combination with coerce.

calculate, by, calculate, in, calculate, from "call for" or "call on"? "campaign for" or "campaign against"? cancel by, due, at, in or for? capitulate to, in, like, by or after? captivate by, for, with, from or in? "capture by" or "capture in"? "care about" or "care for"? carry with, by, in, to or into? carve into, out, in, on or with? cast in, into, for, by or on? "catch in", "catch by" or "catch on"?

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