force
Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
Examples
3 of 5You need to use a lot of force to open this heavy door.
You need to use a lot of force to open this heavy door.
The local police force is looking for new officers.
The local police force is looking for new officers.
Don't use too much force or you will break the toy.
Don't use too much force or you will break the toy.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Force' in Star Wars - it is a power that can push or pull things.
Quick Quiz
The police _____ arrived at the park to help the people.
Correct!
The correct answer is: force
Examples
You need to use a lot of force to open this heavy door.
everydayYou need to use a lot of force to open this heavy door.
The local police force is looking for new officers.
formalThe local police force is looking for new officers.
Don't use too much force or you will break the toy.
informalDon't use too much force or you will break the toy.
Gravitational force keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.
academicGravitational force keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.
Our company has a large sales force in Europe.
businessOur company has a large sales force in Europe.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
by force
by force
join forces
join forces
force of habit
force of habit
Often Confused With
Strength is the quality of being strong inside, while force is the actual energy applied to move something.
Power often relates to authority or speed of work, whereas force is specifically the physical push or pull.
Usage Notes
Use 'force' when talking about physical pushes or pulls, and also when talking about groups like the police or army.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes say 'he has a lot of force' to mean he is strong; it is better to use 'strength' for a person's physical ability.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Force' in Star Wars - it is a power that can push or pull things.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'force', which comes from the Latin word 'fortis', meaning strong.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The concept of force is fundamental in science classes globally and is often the first concept taught in physics.
Quick Quiz
The police _____ arrived at the park to help the people.
Correct!
The correct answer is: force
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Momentum is the power that a moving object has to keep movin...
impactThe powerful effect that something has on a situation or per...
pushTo use your hands or body to move something away from you by...
energyEnergy is the power that comes from things like electricity,...
gravityGravity is the natural force that pulls objects toward each...
pullTo move something toward yourself or in the direction you ar...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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