Impel vs Compel: How Are These Words Connected?

Are you confused about the difference between impel and compel? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this article, we will explore the differences between impel and compel and provide you with examples of how to use each word correctly.

Let’s define the two words. Impel means to drive, force, or urge someone to do something. Compel means to force or constrain someone to do something. While both words involve some level of force, impel is more about urging or motivating someone to take action, while compel is about using more forceful means to make someone do something.

So which word should you use? It depends on the situation. If you want to motivate someone to take action, you might use impel. For example, “The inspiring speech impelled the audience to take action.” If you want to force someone to do something, you would use compel. For example, “The law compels employers to provide a safe working environment.”

Throughout this article, we will explore the nuances of these two words and provide you with examples of how to use them correctly. Whether you are a writer looking to improve your vocabulary or a student studying for a test, this article will give you a better understanding of the difference between impel and compel.

Define Impel

Impel is a verb that means to drive, motivate or urge someone to take action. It is often used to describe a force or influence that compels someone to do something, but with a more positive connotation. When someone is impelled to do something, it is usually because they feel a strong sense of purpose or motivation to act on something. This can be due to external factors, such as encouragement from others, or internal factors, such as personal goals or beliefs.

Define Compel

Compel is a verb that means to force or oblige someone to do something. It is often used to describe a more negative or coercive type of influence. When someone is compelled to do something, it is usually because they feel they have no choice or are being pressured into it. This can be due to external factors, such as threats or punishment, or internal factors, such as fear or guilt.

Here is a table summarizing the differences between impel and compel:

Impel	Compel
Positive connotation	Negative connotation
Drive or motivate	Force or oblige
Strong sense of purpose or motivation	Feeling of having no choice or being pressured

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words ‘impel’ and ‘compel’ in a sentence, it is important to understand their meanings and how they differ from each other. While both words refer to the act of forcing someone to do something, they have subtle differences in their connotations and usage.

How To Use ‘Impel’ In A Sentence

The word ‘impel’ is often used to describe a situation where someone is motivated or driven to do something based on their own internal desires or external circumstances. It implies a sense of positive encouragement or inspiration, rather than coercion or force.

Here are some examples of how to use ‘impel’ in a sentence:

• The desire to help others impelled her to become a doctor.
• His passion for music impelled him to pursue a career as a musician.
• The need for change impelled the company to restructure its operations.

As you can see, ‘impel’ is often used to describe situations where someone is driven by their own desires or external circumstances, rather than being forced to do something against their will.

How To Use ‘Compel’ In A Sentence

The word ‘compel’, on the other hand, is often used to describe a situation where someone is forced to do something against their will or under duress. It implies a sense of coercion or pressure, rather than positive motivation.

Here are some examples of how to use ‘compel’ in a sentence:

• The threat of legal action compelled him to pay the debt.
• The company policy compelled employees to work overtime without pay.
• The fear of punishment compelled him to confess to the crime.

As you can see, ‘compel’ is often used to describe situations where someone is forced to do something against their will, either through external pressure or the threat of negative consequences.

More Examples Of Impel & Compel Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between impel and compel, it’s important to see how they are used in context. Here are some examples of both words used in sentences:

Examples Of Using Impel In A Sentence

• The desire to help others impelled her to become a nurse.
• The urgent need for change impelled the company to take action.
• The fear of failure impelled him to work harder than ever before.
• The love of music impelled her to pursue a career in the industry.
• The sense of duty impelled him to join the military.
• The passion for justice impelled her to become a lawyer.
• The desire to see the world impelled him to travel extensively.
• The need for adventure impelled her to take up skydiving.
• The curiosity about other cultures impelled him to study anthropology.
• The love of nature impelled her to become an environmentalist.

Examples Of Using Compel In A Sentence

• The law compels employers to provide a safe working environment.
• The threat of violence compelled him to comply with their demands.
• The evidence was so strong that it compelled a confession.
• The urgency of the situation compelled them to act quickly.
• The need for accuracy compelled her to double-check her work.
• The sense of responsibility compelled him to speak out against injustice.
• The desire for justice compelled her to testify in court.
• The circumstances compelled them to make a difficult decision.
• The pressure from his peers compelled him to conform to their expectations.
• The gravity of the situation compelled them to seek professional help.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using impel and compel, people often make the mistake of using these words interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences between the two that should be noted.

Mistake #1: Using Impel And Compel As Synonyms

Impel and compel are often used interchangeably to mean “to force or drive someone to do something.” However, impel is more commonly used to mean “to urge or motivate someone to do something,” while compel is used to mean “to force or coerce someone to do something.”

For example, you might say “I was impelled to take action after hearing her story” to indicate that you were motivated to take action. On the other hand, you might say “The law compels employers to provide a safe working environment” to indicate that employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment.

Mistake #2: Using Impel In The Passive Voice

Another common mistake is using impel in the passive voice. Impel is an active verb, and it is incorrect to use it in the passive voice.

For example, you might say “The coach impelled the team to victory” to indicate that the coach motivated the team to win. However, it is incorrect to say “The team was impelled to victory” because impel requires an active subject.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

• Use impel to mean “to urge or motivate someone to do something.”
• Use compel to mean “to force or coerce someone to do something.”
• Avoid using impel in the passive voice.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid common mistakes when using impel and compel.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “impel” and “compel”, it’s important to consider the context in which they are being used. Both words have similar meanings, but they can have different connotations and implications depending on the situation.

Impel

The word “impel” is often used to describe a force or influence that drives someone to take action. It can suggest a sense of motivation or inspiration, rather than a sense of obligation or necessity. For example:

• The coach’s inspiring speech impelled the team to give their all in the game.
• The artist was impelled to create by the beauty of the natural world.
• The desire for change impelled the activists to protest in the streets.

As these examples show, “impel” is often used in situations where there is a sense of personal choice or agency involved. It suggests that the person is acting out of their own volition, rather than being forced to do something.

Compel

The word “compel”, on the other hand, is often used to describe a force or influence that requires someone to take action. It can suggest a sense of obligation or even coercion, rather than a sense of inspiration or motivation. For example:

• The law compels citizens to pay their taxes.
• The threat of punishment compelled the suspect to confess.
• The doctor’s orders compelled the patient to change their lifestyle.

As these examples show, “compel” is often used in situations where there is a sense of external pressure or authority involved. It suggests that the person is acting out of necessity, rather than personal choice.

Context Examples

Of course, the choice between “impel” and “compel” can depend on the specific context in which they are being used. Here are some examples:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word
Motivation	The inspiring story of the marathon runner __________ her to train harder.	impelled
Obligation	The company policy __________ employees to attend regular training sessions.	compels
Coercion	The kidnappers __________ their victim to write a ransom note.	compelled
Choice	The delicious aroma of the bakery __________ her to buy a croissant.	impelled

As these examples show, the choice between “impel” and “compel” can depend on factors such as the type of influence involved, the degree of personal choice or obligation, and the specific wording of the sentence. By considering these factors and choosing the appropriate word, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the general rules for using impel and compel are straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules may not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Legal Context

In legal contexts, the words impel and compel may have slightly different meanings than in everyday language. For example, in some jurisdictions, impel may be used to refer to a less forceful form of coercion, while compel is reserved for situations where force or threat of force is used to make someone comply with a demand.

For instance, a court may impel a witness to testify by issuing a subpoena, but only after considering the witness’s rights and interests. On the other hand, a court may compel a suspect to provide a DNA sample by using physical force or threat of imprisonment.

2. Psychological Context

In psychology, the words impel and compel may be used to describe different types of motivation. Impel may refer to an internal drive or desire to act, whereas compel may refer to an external pressure or obligation to act.

For example, a person may feel impelled to pursue a career in art because of their passion and talent, while another person may feel compelled to become a doctor because of family expectations or societal norms.

3. Literary Context

In literature, the words impel and compel may be used in figurative or poetic ways that depart from their literal meanings. For example, a character in a novel may be impelled by love or curiosity to take a risky action, while another character may be compelled by fear or duty to do the same.

Moreover, some writers may use impel and compel interchangeably or use one word to intensify the other. For instance, a writer may describe a character as “compelled by an impelling urge to solve the mystery.”

4. Idiomatic Expressions

Finally, there are some idiomatic expressions that use impel or compel in ways that do not follow the usual rules. For example, the phrase “impelled by necessity” means forced to do something because there is no other choice, even though impel usually implies a voluntary action.

Similarly, the phrase “compelled speech” refers to a controversial practice of forcing individuals to express views they do not hold, even though compel usually implies a physical action or a legal order.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a better understanding of the differences between impel and compel, let’s practice using them in sentences. Below are some exercises to help improve your understanding and usage of these two words.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with either impel or compel:

1. The strong winds __________ the sailboat to move faster.
2. The law will __________ citizens to wear masks in public.
3. Her passion for music __________ her to pursue a career in the industry.
4. I felt __________ to help my neighbor after her house was damaged in the storm.
5. The threat of a fine __________ the company to improve their environmental practices.

Answer key:

1. impelled
2. compel
3. impelled
4. compelled
5. compelled

Exercise 2

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. The new policy will __________ employees to work from home.
2. The team’s coach __________ them to work harder in practice.
3. She was __________ by her desire to succeed in her career.
4. The company’s success __________ the CEO to invest in new technology.

Answer key:

1. compel
2. impelled
3. impelled
4. impelled

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and usage of impel and compel in your writing. Remember, impel refers to a driving force that motivates or inspires, while compel refers to a force that requires or demands action.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between impel and compel, it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Impel refers to a force that motivates or inspires, while compel refers to a force that drives or coerces.

It is important to understand the nuances of language use, especially when it comes to commonly confused words like impel and compel. By using these words correctly, we can communicate our thoughts and ideas more effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Impel and compel are two distinct words with different meanings.
• Impel refers to a force that motivates or inspires, while compel refers to a force that drives or coerces.
• It is important to use these words correctly to communicate effectively.

As with any aspect of language use, there is always more to learn. By continuing to educate ourselves on grammar and language use, we can improve our communication skills and become more effective communicators.