What is the difference between impel and compel

It might help, in some instances, to think of impel as the carrot and compel as the stick. Advertisement If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page. Share Tweet Compel vs. It helps to think of impel as the carrot and compel as the stick.

It really does. It is redundant indeed. Inasmuch as it will not help in all instances, it necessarily will help only in some instances. How about compel is the gun and impel is the dollar? I see it this way: Impel would refer to a person being strongly motivated to take aggressive action.

This last reference really helped me a lot. In your example the word compelling is an adjective meaning convincing or requiring urgent attention. So, An offer meant to compel would be one in which the consumer is trying to move out of the current situation a stick. An offer meant to impel would be one where the consumer does not mind the present situation, but sees potential of a better situation in the proposed offer a carrot.

That is an interesting interpretation. Could it also mean one is an external force and the other an internal force? We suppose you could say that impel is the internal force and compel is the external force in some cases. Impulsive behaviour comes from within and is desirous while compulsive behaviour is forced by the threat of negative consequences. It appears impel would be more appropriate when describing the irresistible urge involved with motor tics.

However, tic disorders are often associated with compulsive disorders. Both are driven from within. Impel and compel should both be considered as the emotion attached to the reason why you performed a certain action.

Hence, it is logical to believe that there is some emotion attached to both words. Both could be considered as possessing a motivational force. A coming to terms as it where. Improve this question. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. Jon Purdy Jon Purdy Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Inatimate objects can not be impeled as they poses no mind to be able to impel. This word also implies force, abiet mental force. Propel is used with inatimate objects.

The motor proelled the boat. You might propel an unconscious or restrained living being. The word propel always denotes some type of physical movement.

My thoughts are not well stated. It was a struggle for me to be able to find words to describe the differences between tho three words. And, I found it increadibly difficult to present a view which is slightly different from yours. Like this: Like Loading Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.

Credit to: Apple Dictionary. Verb, transitive Third person present verb : impels Past tense or past participle : impelled Gerund or present participle : impelling. Force or drive someone to take action by making that person fear the consequences of not doing so Verb, intransitive : To use force To have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.

Verb, transitive : Force or oblige someone to do something Bring about something by the use of force or pressure Secure by force Subdue To overpower [Literary] Drive forcibly Exact [Archaic] To drive together Unite by force Herd Round up.