Force vs. Compel: 英文字彙的細微差別

「Force」和「compel」兩個英文單字都帶有「強迫」的意思,但它們在用法和語氣上卻存在著微妙的差異。簡單來說,「force」強調的是運用外力或權威去迫使某人做某事,而「compel」則更偏向於一種內在的壓力或道德義務驅使下的強迫。 「Force」通常帶有較為負面的色彩,暗示著暴力或脅迫;而「compel」則相對中性,有時甚至帶有一絲尊重的意味。

讓我們來看一些例句:

  • Force: The strong wind forced the door open. (強風把門吹開了。) This example shows a physical force acting upon an object.

  • Force: The police forced the suspect to confess. (警方強迫嫌犯招供。) Here, "force" implies coercion and may involve threats or violence.

  • Compel: I felt compelled to apologize for my mistake. (我覺得有必要為我的錯誤道歉。) This shows an inner pressure or moral obligation leading to an action. The action is self-imposed, not forced by an outside agent.

  • Compel: The evidence compelled the jury to reach a guilty verdict. (證據迫使陪審團做出有罪判決。) The compelling force here is the evidence, a strong argument rather than a direct application of power.

比較以上例句,我們可以更清晰地看到兩者之間的差異。「Force」著重於外力的施加,「compel」則更注重內在的驅動力或一種無法抗拒的影響。 選擇哪個詞彙取決於你想表達的具體語境以及你想強調的方面。 正確使用「force」和「compel」能讓你的英文表達更加準確和細膩。

Happy learning!

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