to force
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to force
To impose or push something through against another person's will or against resistance using pressure, force, or authority.
Die Polizei musste den Zutritt zum Gebäude erzwingen.
The police had to force entry into the building.
to force
To achieve something through great effort or persistence that would not happen on its own, often in a sports context.
Die Mannschaft konnte in letzter Minute noch den Ausgleich erzwingen.
The team was still able to force the equalizer in the final minute.
'Erzwingen' (to force) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' always remains attached to the stem 'zwingen' and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Man kann Respekt nicht erzwingen.
You cannot force respect.
The verb 'erzwingen' (to force) always requires an accusative object. This object is the thing that is imposed, pushed through, or achieved.
Der Streik sollte höhere Löhne erzwingen.
The strike was meant to force higher wages.
In the meaning 'durchsetzen' (to impose/push through), 'erzwingen' (to force) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'eine Entscheidung' (a decision), 'eine Antwort' (an answer), 'Gehorsam' (obedience), or 'einen Zugang' (access).
Der Anwalt will mit einer Klage die Veröffentlichung der Dokumente erzwingen.
The lawyer wants to force the publication of the documents through a lawsuit.
This meaning of 'erzwingen' (to force) is used very often in sports. Typical combinations are 'ein Tor erzwingen' (to force a goal), 'einen Elfmeter erzwingen' (to force a penalty), or 'einen Sieg erzwingen' (to force a victory). It describes a result that is achieved through struggle and great effort.
Der Stürmer konnte kurz vor Schluss den Siegtreffer erzwingen.
The striker was able to force the winning goal shortly before the end.
to reach
Erreichen and erzwingen can both describe achieving a successful result through effort. Erreichen presents the success neutrally as an achieved goal, while erzwingen emphasizes that the result came about only through great persistence or strong pressure in the face of resistance.
Mit ständigem Druck erzwingt die Mannschaft kurz vor Schluss den Ausgleich.
With constant pressure, the team forces the equalizer shortly before the end.
Mit einem schnellen Angriff erreicht die Mannschaft den Ausgleich.
With a quick attack, the team achieves the equalizer.
