modality N1 uncommon written
〜を余儀なくさせる — to compel / force
〜を余儀なくさせる ・ をよぎなくさせる
Builds on 〜を余儀なくされる
Meaning
- compel / force (someone) into ~ / leave no choice but ~ — formal/written; the impersonal cause is the subject and the person forced is marked with に
Key sentence
不況は多くの企業に倒産を余儀なくさせた。
The recession forced many companies into bankruptcy.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (a する-noun naming the outcome) | [cause]は（+ [person]に）+ N + を余儀なくさせる | 変更を余儀なくさせる |
Examples
急な天候の悪化が、計画の変更を余儀なくさせた。
The sudden worsening of the weather forced a change to the plan.
資金不足が事業の縮小を余儀なくさせた。
A shortage of funds compelled the business to downsize.
When you can't use it
- The subject is the impersonal CAUSE (an event or condition), not the victim; the person forced is marked with に, and を still takes an outcome noun. This active form is less common than the passive を余儀なくされる, which foregrounds the victim.
Easily confused with
〜を余儀なくされる させる makes the CAUSE the subject ('X forced Y into ~'); される makes the VICTIM the subject ('Y was forced into ~'). Most writing prefers the passive される. 〜させる Plain causative させる = a person makes or lets someone do something by their own will; を余儀なくさせる = an impersonal circumstance leaves no alternative, with a heavy 'against their will' nuance.
See 〜を余儀なくさせる in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜を余儀なくさせる the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.