The exact lemma appears at position 2,758 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume or a claim that every sense is equally common. Forms, glosses, pronunciation and cited examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How dwingen is pronounced
IPA: /ˈdʋɪŋə(n)/ · Syllables: dwin·gen
Pronunciation can vary by region and speaking context. Treat the transcription as a compact reference, then compare it with current native audio and practise the verb inside a phrase rather than as an isolated sound.
What dwingen means
to force, coerce (someone)
to constrain, enforce, cause inevitably
to insist forcefully
The English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every sentence. Check the object, preposition, reflexive pronoun or separable element in the Dutch example before transferring the verb to a new situation.
Dwingen conjugation table
| Tense | Subject | Dutch form |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ik | dwing |
| Present | jij (subject first) | dwingt |
| Present | hij/zij/het | dwingt |
| Present | wij/jullie/zij | dwingen |
| Simple past | singular | dwong |
| Simple past | plural | dwongen |
| Past participle | — | gedwongen |
The table shows the standard subject-first jij anchor. Inversion after jij and formal u can require a different surface form. For separable verbs, the cited forms may already show the element in its natural main-clause position. In perfect constructions, choose the auxiliary required by the actual meaning and construction; do not attach hebben or zijn mechanically.
Translated dwingen examples
De overvallers probeerden de winkelbediende te dwingen de kluis te openen.
The robbers tried to force the store clerk to open the safe.
Ik zal je niet dwingen om te komen, maar ik zou het op prijs stellen.
I won't force you to come, but I would appreciate it.
De wet kan bedrijven dwingen milieuvriendelijke maatregelen te nemen.
The law can constrain companies to take environmentally friendly measures.
De omstandigheden dwongen ons om een beslissing te nemen.
The circumstances enforced us to make a decision.
De veranderingen in de markt dwingen het bedrijf om zich aan te passen.
The market changes cause inevitably the company to adapt.
These examples are citation-backed language data. Use them to notice the verb's partners and sentence position. Then change only one detail at a time—subject, time, place or object—so that your next sentence stays grammatical and remains connected to a real communicative purpose.
Turn the reference into speaking practice
- Read the first example once and identify the finite verb, subject and any required particle or preposition.
- Build a new present-tense message with dwing or dwingt and add a concrete time or place.
- Move the same event into the past with dwong; keep the meaning stable while changing the timeline.
- Use gedwongen in a complete result message after checking the correct auxiliary for that construction.
Record all four messages without restarting. Listen once for meaning and sentence order, then once for the target form. Correct only the first error that changes meaning or blocks the listener, and repeat the sentence with one new detail. This creates retrieval practice rather than table recitation.
Self-check
- The chosen sense matches the situation.
- The finite form agrees with the subject.
- The time marker and verb tense tell the same timeline.
- Any separable element, reflexive pronoun, object or fixed preposition is present.
- The sentence contains enough detail for another person to respond.
Questions about dwingen
What does dwingen mean?
to force, coerce (someone); to constrain, enforce, cause inevitably; to insist forcefully.
What is the past tense of dwingen?
The cited standard singular anchor is dwong and the plural anchor is dwongen.
What is the past participle of dwingen?
The cited past participle is gedwongen. Verify the auxiliary in the sentence you actually want to say.
Use dwingen in a recorded answer
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