forces
forces — noun
1. organised groups of trained soldiers, police officers, or other workers who foll
organised groups of trained soldiers, police officers, or other workers who follow orders together for a common goal, such as fighting a war or stopping crime.
Government forces took back the airport from rebel fighters after three days.
collocation: government / rebel / enemy forces
Police forces across the country shared photos of the missing girl.
plural with cross-region scope: 'across the country'
Niran joined the peacekeeping forces stationed near the border last spring.
Special forces were sent overnight to help with the flood rescue in the coastal villages.
The mayor thanked the rescue forces for working through the night.
文法句型
the [adjective] forces
[number] forces
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this sense. Subject is usually a state, government, or organisation, not a single person.
常見錯誤
2. the total size and strength of a country's army, navy, and air force seen togeth
the total size and strength of a country's army, navy, and air force seen together as a single fighting power.
The general warned that the country's forces were not ready for a long war.
possessive + forces: a country's total military strength
Camila reported that allied forces had grown by twenty thousand soldiers this year.
collocation: allied / combined forces
The president ordered the navy to build up its forces in the southern sea.
After the peace deal, both sides agreed to reduce their forces by half.
文法句型
a country's forces
build up its forces
用法筆記
Different from sense 1: this sense talks about military power as a whole quantity (size, strength), while sense 1 talks about specific groups sent to act.
3. powerful trends or pressures, often in society, the economy, or nature, that pus
powerful trends or pressures, often in society, the economy, or nature, that push events in a certain direction without anyone planning them.
The forces of globalisation have changed small towns across South America.
'forces of [abstract noun]' — broad social pressures
Market forces, not the government, decided which factories stayed open.
collocation: market forces
Yael argued that powerful economic forces were driving young people to move to the cities.
Two opposing forces in the party fought over the new leader for months.
Climate scientists study the natural forces that shape coastlines over centuries.
文法句型
the forces of [X]
[adjective] forces shape / drive [Y]
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective naming the area (market, social, political, natural). The verb is typically 'shape', 'drive', or 'push'.
4. in physics, pushes or pulls (such as gravity or magnetism) that act on an object
in physics, pushes or pulls (such as gravity or magnetism) that act on an object and can change how it moves.
The bridge must support all the forces pushing down on it during a storm.
'forces acting on [object]'
Vivek showed the class how two forces pulling on a rope can balance each other.
'balanced forces' — net result is zero motion
Engineers measure the forces inside a car engine to make it safer.
The four basic forces of nature include gravity and electromagnetism.
文法句型
the forces acting on [X]
用法筆記
In physics writing, almost always plural when describing more than one push or pull on an object. Common verbs: 'act on', 'balance', 'measure', 'apply'.
5. violent or threatening actions used together by a group to make someone do somet
violent or threatening actions used together by a group to make someone do something against their will.
Villagers were driven from their homes by the forces of an armed militia.
'driven by the forces of [armed group]'
The protesters resisted the forces sent to break up their peaceful gathering.
'resist forces' — refuse to give in to coercion
Esme described how the forces used during the arrest left several people injured.
Human rights groups condemned the brutal forces shown against the marchers.
- persuasion
achieving the same end by reasoning
文法句型
by the forces of [X]
the forces of [violence / law]
用法筆記
Formal register, mostly journalism and human-rights writing. Distinguish from sense 1 (named groups like 'rescue forces') and sense 2 (military size as a quantity).
forces — verb
1. (third person singular of 'force') makes a person do something they do not want
(third person singular of 'force') makes a person do something they do not want to do, by using power, threats, or strong pressure.
The new law forces drivers to wear seatbelts on every road, even short ones.
forces + somebody + to-infinitive
Heavy rain forces many farmers to delay the harvest by several weeks.
inanimate subject: a situation as the 'forcer'
Caleb says high rent forces him to share a small flat with three roommates.
The factory boss forces the workers into long shifts without enough breaks.
- allows
the opposite — giving free choice
文法句型
forces + somebody + to-infinitive
forces + somebody + into + noun
用法筆記
The subject is often a rule, situation, or pressure (not just a person). Very often followed by 'to + verb'.
常見錯誤
2. pushes, pulls, or moves something hard when it does not want to move, often usin
pushes, pulls, or moves something hard when it does not want to move, often using the body or a tool against pressure that holds it back.
Mizuki forces the heavy wooden door open with her shoulder when the lock sticks.
'forces [door] open' — physical effort against resistance
Strong wind forces the small boat back toward the rocky beach.
inanimate force pushing against motion
Kofi forces the last shirt into a suitcase that is already too full.
The mechanic warns drivers not to force the gear lever when the engine is cold.
文法句型
forces + object + into / through / open / shut
用法筆記
Physical sense; the object usually resists in some way (a stuck door, a tight suitcase, a stiff lever). Distinguish from sense 1: here the resistance is physical, not human will.
3. breaks open a door, lock, or container by using strong physical effort, usually
breaks open a door, lock, or container by using strong physical effort, usually to get inside without permission.
The burglar forces the back door of the empty house and slips inside quietly.
collocation: forces a door / lock
Firefighters forced the car door to free the trapped passenger.
rescue context: forced for a good reason
Someone forced the office safe over the weekend and took the cash inside.
Sana noticed scratch marks where a thief had forced the window lock.
- breaks open
everyday equivalent; less formal
- pries open
uses a tool as a lever
- smashes
implies broken pieces
- unlocks
opening with a key, the legal way
文法句型
forces + the lock / door / window / safe
用法筆記
Object is almost always a barrier (door, lock, window, safe). Often appears in news, crime reports, and rescue stories.
4. gives someone an opinion, rule, or item that they did not ask for and probably d
gives someone an opinion, rule, or item that they did not ask for and probably do not want, often without giving them a real chance to say no.
The new manager forces her views about overtime on every team meeting.
forces [X] on [people]: imposing opinions
Talia hated how her aunt always forced extra food onto her plate at dinner.
everyday domestic example of imposing
The company forces strict dress codes on workers without asking what they think.
Some online platforms force adverts on users every few minutes.
- offers
with a real choice to refuse
文法句型
forces + noun + on / upon + somebody
用法筆記
Different from sense 1: sense 1 makes someone DO an action; this sense pushes an idea, rule, or thing ONTO them. Note the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
常見錯誤
5. makes a plant or process grow or develop faster than it would by itself, usually
makes a plant or process grow or develop faster than it would by itself, usually by changing the conditions on purpose.
The gardener forces tulip bulbs in warm pots so they bloom by January.
'forces bulbs' — gardening jargon
Hot weather forces the rhubarb in Lauren's garden two weeks early this year.
natural condition as the 'forcer'
The trainer forces the pace of the workout to test the runners' endurance.
Farmers in cold regions force lettuce under glass to sell it before spring.
文法句型
forces + plants / growth / a process
用法筆記
Common in gardening ('force bulbs') and sport ('force the pace'). Outside these areas the sense is rare.
6. produces a sound, expression, or speech with clear effort because it does not co
produces a sound, expression, or speech with clear effort because it does not come naturally at that moment.
Esteban forces a polite smile when his boss repeats the same joke again.
'forces a smile' — most common collocation
The actress forces her voice to sound calm during the long live interview.
'forces [voice] to + verb'
Gabriela forced a laugh, but anyone could tell she was hurt by the comment.
Don't force the words — wait until the right ones come to you.
- genuine
adjective opposite — a 'genuine smile' is not forced
文法句型
forces + a smile / laugh / words / voice
用法筆記
Object is typically a small social signal (smile, laugh, words). Reader infers the person feels something different inside.