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Prepositions after verbs

Compel by vs compel to

Compel to is the standard pattern when someone is forced or strongly persuaded to do something. Compel by is not normally used after compel, but by can appear in passive structures such as be compelled by fear.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct with compel?

Use compel someone to do something for actions or obligations. Do not normally say compel by. However, passive structures such as be compelled by fear or be compelled by circumstances are correct because by introduces the cause or agent.

The law compelled companies to report the data.
She felt compelled to respond immediately.
He was compelled by curiosity to investigate.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
compel someone to + verb

Forcing or strongly influencing an action

This is the main active pattern with compel.

The judge compelled the witness to answer.
Financial pressure compelled them to move abroad.
2
be compelled to + verb

Feeling unable to avoid an action

The passive form often expresses moral, emotional, or practical pressure.

I felt compelled to apologise.
The company was compelled to change its policy.
3
be compelled by + noun

Naming the cause or motivating force

By can follow compelled in passive structures to show the reason, emotion, or agent behind the action.

She was compelled by duty to stay.
Many voters were compelled by economic concerns.
4
compel + object + into + noun/gerund

Forcing someone into a state or action

Into is used when someone is pushed into a situation or type of behaviour.

The scandal compelled him into resigning.
Debt compelled many families into selling their homes.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
compel to
The crisis compelled the team to act quickly.
Standard pattern for forcing or strongly influencing an action.
compelled by
She was compelled by guilt to confess.
Passive structure showing the cause or motivating force.
compel by
Nonstandard in most active uses: They compelled him by fear.
English normally prefers compel someone to do something or force someone by means of something.
force someone by
They forced him by threats to sign the paper.
By can describe the method used with force, not usually with compel.

Common mistakes

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

Using compel by in active clauses

Compel is not usually followed directly by by in active structures.

✕ They compelled him by fear to leave. ✓ They compelled him to leave through fear.

Forgetting the infinitive after compel

Compel is commonly followed by to + verb.

✕ The rules compelled us working late. ✓ The rules compelled us to work late.

Confusing passive and active patterns

By works naturally after compelled in passive clauses.

✕ The speech compelled by emotion the crowd. ✓ The crowd was compelled by emotion.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The emergency compelled the pilot ___ land immediately.
2. She was compelled ___ curiosity to open the letter.
3. The scandal compelled the minister ___ resigning.

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Frequently asked questions

Is compel by ever correct?

It is usually correct only in passive patterns such as be compelled by fear or be compelled by events.

What is the difference between compel and force?

Both express pressure or obligation. Force is often more physical or direct, while compel can sound more formal or psychological.

Can compel be followed by a gerund?

Not directly. English normally uses compel someone to do something or compel someone into doing something.

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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