Meaning & use
compelling case
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Meanings
nouncountable
A set of reasons or facts so strong that it convinces people to accept a claim or take action.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a' or 'the' before it, and 'cases' in the plural.
Patterns
- make a compelling case for something
- a compelling case for doing something
- a compelling case that + clause
The researchers made a compelling case for spending more on early education.
She built a compelling case that the old bridge was no longer safe.
There is a compelling case for changing the rules before the next season starts.
nouncountablelegal
A legal argument presented in court that is strong enough to persuade the judge or jury.
Grammar: Countable and used in legal contexts; often appears with 'prosecution', 'defense', or 'present'.
Patterns
- present a compelling case to the court
- the prosecution's compelling case
The defense presented a compelling case for acquittal.
The judge said the prosecution had made a compelling case against the defendant.
Word forms
| plural | compelling cases |
|---|
Common combinations
- make a compelling case
- The mayor made a compelling case for the new library.
- a compelling case for change
- The report offers a compelling case for change in the industry.
- present a compelling case
- Lawyers must present a compelling case to win over the jury.
- build a compelling case
- It took months to build a compelling case against the company.
- a compelling case that...
- There is a compelling case that the policy has failed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- strong argument
- More general and less formal; it can describe any effective argument, not necessarily one that convinces a decision-maker.
- persuasive argument
- Focuses on the effect of persuading someone; 'compelling case' often implies a fuller set of evidence and reasons.
- convincing evidence
- Refers specifically to facts or proof rather than the whole reasoned argument.
Opposites
Word family
- compel verb
- To force someone to do something or make something necessary.
- compelling adjective
- So strong or interesting that it holds your attention or convinces you.
- compellingly adverb
- In a way that is very convincing or attention-grabbing.
Commonly confused: compelling case or compulsory case?
compelling case vs compulsory case
'Compulsory' means required by law or rule, so 'compulsory case' is not a natural phrase; use 'compelling case' for a persuasive argument.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'compelling case' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'A compelling case for something' is the standard pattern, so 'for her client's innocence' fits. The other prepositions ('of', 'to', 'at') do not combine naturally with 'case' in this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “compelling case”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.