区别辨析compel、force、constrain与oblige

compel、force、constrain与oblige这些动词均含“迫使”之意。

compel : 指在法律、权力、力量或行动等的驱使下被迫而为。

  • The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children.
    这项法律可强制父亲定期支付子女的费用。
  • I feel compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your book.
    我觉得必须写信告诉你我是多么欣赏你的书。

force : 指用个人意志、权力、权威或暴力等,迫使他人改变看法或做本不愿做的事。

  • The President was forced to resign.
    总统被迫辞职。
  • I was forced to take a taxi because the last bus had left.
    最后一班公共汽车已经开走,所以我只好坐了一辆出租汽车。

constrain : 侧重施加约束力或有约束作用的影响,也指环境对人强加的影响迫使人去做某事,尤指受良心、情感等内在力量驱使去做某事。

  • The evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it.
    证据是那样的令人折服,他觉得不得不接受。

oblige : 指由于生理上或道德上的需要,促使某人做某事,也指有权威的人或机构迫使某人做某事,还可指在特定情况下被迫作出的反应。

  • Parents are obliged by law to send their children to school.
    法律规定父母必须送子女入学。
  • The storm got worse and worse. Finally, I was obliged to abandon the car and continue on foot.
    暴风雨愈发猛烈,我最终不得不弃车步行。