Coerce - Word of the Day IELTS Speaking and Writing

The English language becomes powerful when you can express not just actions but the intentions behind them. One such strong and effective verb that adds precision and depth to your academic writing and speaking is the word “coerce.” 

This word is mainly useful in the IELTS exam when discussing authority, human rights, justice, ethics or social issues. Mastering the word “coerce” will help you explain situations where someone is forced or pressured into doing something against their will.

Find out all about the word “coerce”, including its meaning, origin, collocations, and much more here.

Meaning of “Coerce”

The word “coerce” (verb) means to force, compel or pressure someone to do something that they do not want to do. This force can either be physical or emotional, and even psychological.

For Example:

• “The organization was accused of trying to coerce employees into signing unfair contracts.”

This word “coerce” expresses a strong, negative form of influence, making it perfect for expressing criticism or ethical concerns in academic contexts.

Origin of the Word “Coerce”

“Coerce” comes from the Latin word “coercere,” which means “to restrain” or “to confine.” It is then formed from the combination of “co-“ (together) and “arcere” (to enclose or hold back). 

This word entered the English language through Old French and has maintained its sense of forcing or controlling a person’s actions. Its historical roots reflect the inherent idea of restriction and pressure, key ideas that remain central in its modern usage.

Using “Coerce” in the IELTS Writing Task 2

“Coerce” is the perfect word to use when discussing social problems, workplace problems, unethical practices, or governmental behaviour. It then helps you express the idea of force, manipulation, or lack of freedom properly.

Examples for IELTS Writing Task 2:

• “Some of the employers intentionally coerce workers into accepting lower wages by threatening their job loss.”
• “No government should coerce people into supporting policies they disagree with.”
• “Kids should be guided, not coerced, into choosing a certain career path.”

Using the word “coerce” shows a strong lexical precision and improves one’s ability to critique actions in a proper and formal manner.

Using “Coerce” in the IELTS Speaking

In the IELTS Speaking test, “coerce” is a word that can be used naturally when describing experiences, opinions, or social scenarios, especially in the Speaking Part 2 and Part 3.

Examples for Speaking:

• “I do not think anyone should be coerced into studying something they don’t like.”
• “Peer pressure can sometimes coerce youngsters into making poor decisions.”
• “I prefer cooperative work environments wherein people are encouraged rather than coerced.”

This word provides you with a more sophisticated way of talking about pressure or influence.

Common Collocations with the Word “Coerce”

• coerce compliance
• coerce behaviour
• coerce participation
• coercive tactics

Common Mistakes When Using “Coerce”

• A frequent mistake is using the word “coerce” without a clear object. This verb always needs a person who is being forced and typically includes the “into + gerund.”

Incorrect Usage: “Our manager coerced to sign the form.”

Correct Usage: “Our manager coerced the staff into signing the form.”

• Another common mistake is using “coerce” to describe gentle persuasion. This always implies unwanted pressure and not simple encouragement.

Incorrect Usage: “My parents coerced me to eat a good and healthy meal.”

Correct Usage: “My parents encouraged me to eat a good and healthy meal.”

Synonyms of the Word “Coerce”

• force
• pressure
• intimidate
• compel
• bully
• threaten
• push

Antonyms of the Word “Coerce”

• encourage
• persuade
• inspire
• motivate
• convince
• support

Sample Sentences Using the Word “Coerce”

• “The suspect claimed that she was coerced into confessing by the officers.”
• “Many citizens feel coerced into buying products due to an aggressive marketing strategy.”
• “No one should be coerced into marriage under any unforeseen circumstances.”
• “Some strict rules seemed designed to coerce students into obedience.”
• “The engineer tried to coerce the community into accepting the construction project.”

To conclude, if you are someone aiming for a top IELTS Band Score, follow the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ further to boost your vocabulary and overall IELTS test performance, just like you did with the word - Coerce!

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