Collocations for force - noun
1. physical strength, power or violence
ADJ.
considerable, great, terrible, tremendous | full, maximum | brute, sheer | reasonable | sufficient | excessive | unlawful | deadly, lethal | explosive | physical | gale
The wind was increasing to gale force.
The wind was increasing to gale force.
VERB + FORCE
resort to, use
In the end, we had to resort to brute force to get the door open.
In the end, we had to resort to brute force to get the door open.
take sth by
The troops marched in and took the city by force.
The troops marched in and took the city by force.
feel
Even the opposition MPs felt the force of the prime minister''s argument.
Even the opposition MPs felt the force of the prime minister''s argument.
PREP.
by ~
The king made laws and imposed them by force.
The king made laws and imposed them by force.
PHRASES
catch/experience/feel/meet/take the full force of sth
Our shop took the full force of the bomb blast. | I felt the full force of her criticism.
Our shop took the full force of the bomb blast. | I felt the full force of her criticism.
meet force with force
The country''s attempts to meet force with force (= resist an attack using force) led to the outbreak of war.
The country''s attempts to meet force with force (= resist an attack using force) led to the outbreak of war.
the use of force
The regulations allow the use of force if necessary.
The regulations allow the use of force if necessary.
2. effect that causes sth to move
ADJ.
powerful, strong | weak | attractive | repulsive | balanced | external, internal
Deep internal forces cause movements of the earth''s crust.
Deep internal forces cause movements of the earth''s crust.
lateral | centrifugal, centripetal, electromagnetic, electromotive, gravitational, mechanical, nuclear, tidal
VERB + FORCE
exert
The sun exerts a force on the earth.
The sun exerts a force on the earth.
increase | decrease | balance
The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.
The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.
FORCE + VERB
balance sth
FORCE + NOUN
field
the force field of a magnet (figurative) It was as if an invisible force field kept us apart.
the force field of a magnet (figurative) It was as if an invisible force field kept us apart.
PREP.
~ between
the attractive and repulsive forces between individual particles
the attractive and repulsive forces between individual particles
PHRASES
a balance of forces
the balance of nuclear forces in atoms
the balance of nuclear forces in atoms
the force of gravity3
authority of sth
authority of sth
ADJ.
binding, legal, statutory
The contract was not signed and has no binding force.
The contract was not signed and has no binding force.
VERB + FORCE
come into
The new law comes into force as from midnight tomorrow.
The new law comes into force as from midnight tomorrow.
bring sth into
PREP.
in ~
Some laws relating to obsolete customs are still in force.
Some laws relating to obsolete customs are still in force.
PHRASES
the force of law
Professional standards often do not have the force of law (= cannot be enforced).
Professional standards often do not have the force of law (= cannot be enforced).
4. sb/sth with power/influence
ADJ.
considerable, formidable, great, irresistible, major, overwhelming, potent, powerful, significant, strong | active, controlling, dominant, driving, moving | motivating | persuasive | constructive, creative, dynamic, positive, progressive | destructive, disruptive, negative, subversive
She was seen as a potentially subversive force within the party.
She was seen as a potentially subversive force within the party.
cohesive, unifying | competitive, conflicting, countervailing, reactionary | internal | external, international, outside
The play portrays a marriage torn apart by external forces.
The play portrays a marriage torn apart by external forces.
natural
powerful natural forces such as earthquakes and drought
powerful natural forces such as earthquakes and drought
spiritual, supernatural | dark, demonic, evil, malevolent
‘There are dark forces in the universe,’ he raved, ‘and we are powerless against them!’
‘There are dark forces in the universe,’ he raved, ‘and we are powerless against them!’
cultural, economic, intellectual, market, moral, political, productive, revolutionary, social
powerful social and economic forces
powerful social and economic forces
VERB + FORCE
remain
Though officially retired, she remains the creative force behind the design business.
Though officially retired, she remains the creative force behind the design business.
balance
This is a politician who does not like to balance market forces.
This is a politician who does not like to balance market forces.
PREP.
~ behind
Local parents were the driving force behind the project.
Local parents were the driving force behind the project.
~ for
Competition is a force for change in industry.
Competition is a force for change in industry.
PHRASES
a balance of forces
shifts in the balance of political forces in Europe
shifts in the balance of political forces in Europe
a force to be reckoned with
With its new players, the team is now very much a force to be reckoned with.
With its new players, the team is now very much a force to be reckoned with.
5. group of people trained for a particular purpose
ADJ.
large | small, token
a token force of only 300 men
a token force of only 300 men
100-strong, etc. | crack, elite, special
These elite forces are the best equipped and trained in the world.
These elite forces are the best equipped and trained in the world.
combined, joint
the combined forces of MI5 and Scotland Yard a joint task force
the combined forces of MI5 and Scotland Yard a joint task force
allied, coalition, multinational | strategic | labour, sales
a company''s labour force the country''s labour force
a company''s labour force the country''s labour force
armed, military, paramilitary | government, loyal | enemy, guerrilla, hostile, occupying, opposition, rebel | regular | reserve | volunteer | conventional | nuclear | assault, defence, expeditionary, fighting, invasion, peace, peacekeeping, police, security, strike (see also ‘task force’) | air, airborne, amphibious, ground, land, naval
VERB + FORCE
assemble, create, form, mobilize, set up
A large expeditionary force is now being assembled.
A large expeditionary force is now being assembled.
send
the decision to send armed forces over the border
the decision to send armed forces over the border
deploy, use
A small peacekeeping force will be deployed in the area.
A small peacekeeping force will be deployed in the area.
withdraw | demobilize | command, head (up), lead | join
She decided to join the armed forces.
She decided to join the armed forces.
combine, join
The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
FORCE + VERB
control sth
Rebel forces now control most of the capital.
Rebel forces now control most of the capital.
PREP.
in a/the ~
people in the security forces
people in the security forces
PHRASES
a member of a force, the withdrawal of a force
a UN deadline for the withdrawal of forces
a UN deadline for the withdrawal of forces