force
force — verb
- forcepresent simple I / you / we / they
- forces3rd person singular
- forcing-ing form
- forcedpast simple
1. to cause a person to act against their own wishes, typically by threatening them
to cause a person to act against their own wishes, typically by threatening them or removing every other option until they have no acceptable alternative.
The robbers forced the bank manager to open the safe at gunpoint.
force + object + to-infinitive for making someone act
Heavy rain forced the organizers to cancel the outdoor concert.
Adaeze felt that her parents were forcing her to study medicine instead of art.
A sudden drop in sales forced the company to let go of twenty workers.
The teacher never forces her students to speak before they feel ready.
文法句型
force + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly used in the pattern 'force + person + to-infinitive.' The subject can be a person, an event, or a situation — not just a person with power.
常見錯誤
2. to make plants or vegetables grow faster or earlier in the season by controlling
to make plants or vegetables grow faster or earlier in the season by controlling temperature, light, or other growing conditions artificially.
The gardener forced the tulips to bloom two weeks early for the flower show.
usually passive: forced for early growth
Tomatoes can be forced in a warm glasshouse during the cold winter months.
Some farmers force strawberries by keeping the plants in heated tunnels.
The nursery forced daffodils so they would be ready for the New Year market.
- hasten
broader — can apply to any process, not just plants
- accelerate growth
descriptive phrase, less technical
文法句型
be forced (in [conditions])
用法筆記
Almost always in the passive voice ('are forced,' 'were forced'). The subject is a type of plant, and the agent is a gardener or grower.
3. to produce a smile, laugh, or other expression with effort, when you do not genu
to produce a smile, laugh, or other expression with effort, when you do not genuinely feel happy or amused.
Darius forced a smile when he heard his flight was delayed again.
force + smile / laugh / grin / chuckle
The bad jokes made the audience force a weak laugh out of politeness.
Lakshmi forced a cheerful grin even though her knee was hurting badly.
Hassan forced a chuckle to hide how nervous he felt before the speech.
- genuinely smile
to smile without effort
文法句型
force + a smile / a laugh / a grin
用法筆記
The object is almost always a positive facial expression (smile, laugh, grin, chuckle) — never negative ones like a frown or cry.
4. to take action that makes an urgent problem, question, or disagreement reach a p
to take action that makes an urgent problem, question, or disagreement reach a point where it must be dealt with or decided immediately.
The housing shortage forced the issue when three families were left without a home.
collocation: force the issue
Christopher decided to force a decision by giving his boss a deadline of Friday.
Rising costs forced the matter, so the committee had to vote right away.
Rather than wait any longer, the council forced the question by calling an emergency meeting.
- bring to a head
idiom, means the same but more vivid
- precipitate
formal, means to cause something to happen suddenly or sooner
文法句型
force + the issue / the matter / a decision
用法筆記
The object is usually a noun referring to a problem or decision ('the issue,' 'the question,' 'the matter,' 'a vote'). Not used with a personal object in this sense.
常見錯誤
5. to push, pull, or shift an object using bodily power, particularly when the obje
to push, pull, or shift an object using bodily power, particularly when the object is heavy, stuck, or hard to move.
Heloísa forced the heavy wooden door open with her shoulder.
force + object + open / closed / through
The movers forced the large sofa through the narrow apartment doorway.
Élise forced the window shut against the strong wind blowing outside.
Linh forced the old key into the rusty lock and turned it carefully.
- slide
to move smoothly without effort
文法句型
force + object + open / closed / shut / through
用法筆記
Requires a complement — an adjective ('open,' 'closed,' 'shut') or a prepositional phrase ('through the gap,' 'into the hole') — to describe the result of the effort.
6. to damage or defeat the locking mechanism of a door, gate, or window so that a p
to damage or defeat the locking mechanism of a door, gate, or window so that a person can enter a building, typically in an emergency or during a crime.
The firefighters forced the apartment door when they heard cries for help.
force + door / window / lock
Thieves forced the lock on the back gate sometime during the night.
The police officer forced the window open to rescue the child trapped inside.
Somebody had forced the garage door and stolen the bicycle that was inside.
- break open
more specific about the breaking action
- break into
phrasal verb, emphasises the entry
- pry open
using a tool rather than damaging the lock directly
- lock
to secure a door or window
- open gently
to open without damage
文法句型
force + a door / window / lock
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (PRY OPEN): sense 5 focuses on moving an object through effort; sense 6 focuses on breaking or damaging a barrier to enter. Sense 6 always implies entry into a space.
force — noun
- forcesingular
- forcesplural
1. the use of bodily power or violent action, especially to make someone or somethi
the use of bodily power or violent action, especially to make someone or something do what you want against their will.
The police stated that no force was used during the arrest.
passive: was used
Dewi managed to open the jammed kitchen drawer by force.
collocation: by force
Christopher used physical force to break the padlock with a heavy rock.
The army used overwhelming force to end the rebellion in the capital.
Hao believes that we should solve problems through discussion, never through force.
- gentleness
the opposite of using physical force or violence
用法筆記
Frequently appears in legal or procedural contexts (e.g. "use of force", "by force") to describe coercion or violent means.
常見錯誤
2. used in the expression "in force" to mean a group of people arriving or gatherin
used in the expression "in force" to mean a group of people arriving or gathering in very large numbers.
Antonia's fans turned out in force for her first concert in Tokyo.
idiom: turn out in force
Security guards were out in force at the airport during the New Year holiday.
idiom: be out in force
The media arrived in force outside the courthouse when the verdict was announced.
Local volunteers came out in force to help clean up the park after the storm.
- in great numbers
more literal and less idiomatic than 'in force'
- en masse
formal French borrowing, meaning 'as a group'
- in small numbers
the opposite of arriving in large numbers
文法句型
in force
用法筆記
Used with verbs of appearing or gathering such as 'turn out', 'come out', 'be out', 'arrive'. Only appears in the fixed phrase 'in force' — you cannot say 'in forces' or 'in a force' with this meaning.
常見錯誤
3. in physics, a push or pull on an object that makes it move, stop moving, or chan
in physics, a push or pull on an object that makes it move, stop moving, or change direction.
Liam dropped a ball from different heights onto a scale to measure the force of each impact.
measuring force of impact in a physics experiment
Gravitational force keeps the Moon moving around the Earth in its orbit.
collocation: gravitational force
Nikhil measured the force required to pull the heavy box across the floor.
When you hit a ball with a bat, the force of the hit sends the ball flying.
Yuki calculated the force needed to lift a ten-kilogram weight straight up off the ground.
用法筆記
Can be both countable (different types of force) and uncountable (force as a general concept). Subject is typically an object, a scientific instrument, or a physical phenomenon.
常見錯誤
4. used in the expression "join forces" to mean two or more people, groups, or comp
used in the expression "join forces" to mean two or more people, groups, or companies work together for a shared purpose.
The two charities joined forces to raise money for the earthquake survivors.
pattern: join forces to [infinitive]
Élise and her business partner joined forces to open a bakery in the old market square.
Several local schools joined forces with a university to create a science programme for teenagers.
The two tech companies joined forces to develop a new type of battery for electric cars.
- team up
informal; more casual than 'join forces'
- collaborate
formal; focuses on working together on a project
- unite
emphasises coming together as one group
- go it alone
informal; to work without help from others
文法句型
join forces with [sb/sth]
join forces to [infinitive]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'join forces'. The verb 'join' changes tense but 'forces' remains plural. Cannot be used as 'join a force' or 'joint forces'.
常見錯誤
5. a phenomenon, system, or organisation that has the power to shape events, behavi
a phenomenon, system, or organisation that has the power to shape events, behaviour, or the direction of developments in a lasting or structural way.
Karim was a powerful force for change in his local community.
collocation: a force for [change/good]
Social media has become a major force in shaping young people's opinions.
collocation: a [adjective] force in [noun]
The organisation is a driving force behind the environmental movement in Asia.
The rise of online shopping was a market force that changed how small shops operated.
Linh has always been a positive force in the lives of her younger students.
用法筆記
Commonly preceded by an adjective (e.g. 'driving force', 'positive force', 'powerful force') and followed by 'for' or 'in' to indicate the area of influence. Can refer to both people and abstract phenomena.
6. a label for a person or organisation whose great power and influence make it imp
a label for a person or organisation whose great power and influence make it impossible to disregard them.
After winning three tournaments in a row, Eri became a force to be reckoned with.
fixed expression: a force to be reckoned with
The small tech company is now a force to be reckoned with in the global software market.
Amira proved she was a force to be reckoned with when she won the national debate championship.
The growing environmental movement has become a force to be reckoned with in politics.
- major player
informal; describes an important participant in a field
- heavyweight
informal; someone with great power or influence
文法句型
a force to be reckoned with
用法筆記
Always used with the indefinite article 'a' followed by 'force to be reckoned with'. Often follows 'become' or 'prove to be'. Cannot be shortened to 'a force to reckon with' — the passive form 'to be reckoned with' is fixed.
常見錯誤
7. the powerful action of natural phenomena such as wind, fire, or flowing water, w
the powerful action of natural phenomena such as wind, fire, or flowing water, which humans cannot fully control
The force of the wind blew the roof off several houses during the storm.
collocation: force of the wind
Adaeze watched the river's force carve a deeper channel through the rocks.
Firefighters struggled against the force of the flames spreading through the forest.
The force of the ocean waves damaged the harbour wall beyond repair.
No one could stand against the force of the hurricane that hit the coast.
用法筆記
Often used with 'the force of' followed by a specific natural element (wind, water, fire, waves, storm).
8. a person whose strong will, active drive, and determination enable them to shape
a person whose strong will, active drive, and determination enable them to shape events and get things done through personal effort
Christopher has become a major force in local politics since he moved to the city.
pattern: a [adjective] force in [area]
The principal is a real force who turned the failing school around in two years.
Élise is a creative force whose ideas have changed how the company designs new products.
The community sees Linh as a positive force behind the recent environmental campaigns.
Old Mr. Kim was the driving force behind the town's annual arts festival for decades.
- influential figure
less intense — does not convey the same level of personal energy and drive
- powerhouse
more informal and suggests raw productive energy
- driver
focuses on the pushing-forward aspect, often used in 'driving force' collocation
用法筆記
Frequently used with adjectives like 'major', 'real', 'creative', 'positive', 'driving' before 'force'. Often followed by 'in' + field or 'behind' + achievement.
常見錯誤
9. behaviour that is repeated automatically and without conscious thought because i
behaviour that is repeated automatically and without conscious thought because it has been performed the same way very many times
After retiring, Hassan still woke up at 5 a.m. out of pure force of habit.
preposition: out of force of habit
I tried a different route, but force of habit led me to my usual street.
Talia reached for a second coffee out of force of habit, though not tired.
By force of habit, Camila signed the old email address she had changed months earlier.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'out of force of habit' or 'by force of habit'. Cannot be modified — 'strong force of habit' is not idiomatic.
10. an organised body of individuals who have been trained to perform a specific kin
an organised body of individuals who have been trained to perform a specific kind of job or function
The company plans to expand its sales force by hiring twenty new representatives.
pattern: [purpose] + force — sales force, labour force, police force
Hao joined the local police force right after finishing his university degree.
compound: police force
The labour force in the region has grown rapidly as new factories open each year.
A small volunteer force helped clean up the park after the community festival.
Kwame works as part of the disaster relief force that responds to emergencies worldwide.
用法筆記
Often used in compound nouns where a purpose word precedes 'force' (sales force, labour force, police force, task force). The force word typically cannot stand alone for this sense — 'a force of sales' sounds unnatural.
常見錯誤
11. the entire set of a nation's military units that defend it on land, at sea, and
the entire set of a nation's military units that defend it on land, at sea, and in the air
The country's armed forces are among the most modern in the region.
always plural: armed forces
Many young people in the town joined the armed forces after finishing high school.
verb collocation: join the armed forces
The armed forces work together with international allies during peacekeeping missions.
Dewi's father served in the armed forces for over twenty years before retiring.
The president thanked the armed forces for their work during the natural disaster.
- military
broader term — can also refer to military culture, not just the organisation
- defence forces
more formal, often used in official government contexts
- troops
specifically refers to soldiers on the ground, not the whole organisation
用法筆記
Always takes a plural verb and definite article — 'the armed forces are…', not 'the armed force is…'. Distinct from sense 10 in that it always refers to military branches collectively, not any organised work group.
常見錯誤
12. (of a law, rule, agreement, or system) currently active and being applied or fol
(of a law, rule, agreement, or system) currently active and being applied or followed, usually after an official start date
The new data protection law has been in force since the beginning of this year.
pattern: [law/rule] + be in force
Safety regulations are in force at all times inside the laboratory.
When the emergency order came into force, all flights were grounded immediately.
The old speed limits remain in force until the council votes on a new proposal.
The trade agreement between the two nations has been in force for nearly a decade.
用法筆記
Used only in fixed prepositional phrases with 'in' or 'into' — 'in force' (existing and active) or 'come into force' (become active). The subject must be an official rule, law, regulation, or system, not a physical object or person.
13. in baseball, a situation where a batter's hit forces someone already on a base t
in baseball, a situation where a batter's hit forces someone already on a base to start moving toward the next one, and the defensive team can end that runner's turn by stepping on the destination base with the ball ahead of them
Hao hit a ground ball and the shortstop stepped on second for a force out.
collocation: ground ball + force out
A force out at second base ended the inning for the visiting team.
Ezra tried to reach the base before the throw arrived and avoid the force out.
The second baseman caught the ball and touched the bag for an easy force out.
- force-out
hyphenated spelling of the same term, equally common in baseball writing