Japatan
Formation
- N + を余儀なくされる(中止・延期・変更・入院 など)
- V辞書形 + ことを余儀なくされる
- (原因) が (人) に N + を余儀なくさせる
Explanation
Used when someone has no choice but to do something unwanted because of circumstances beyond their control, such as weather or the economy. It follows an action noun like 中止 (cancellation) or 延期 (postponement). When the cause is the subject, use 〜を余儀なくさせる: "the typhoon forced a change of plans". It is a formal expression found in news and essays.
Examples
大雨のため、試合は 延期を余儀なくされた。
Because of the heavy rain, the match had to be postponed.
工場の閉鎖で、多くの社員が 転職を余儀なくされた。
With the factory closing, many employees were forced to change jobs.
予算が足りず、研究チームは計画を 見直すことを余儀なくされた。
With too little budget, the research team was forced to revise its plan.
物価の上昇が、多くの留学生に 生活の見直しを余儀なくさせている。
Rising prices are forcing many international students to rethink their way of living.
Notes
Not used for things a person chooses freely. Use 余儀なくされる when the subject is the affected person, and 余儀なくさせる when the subject is the cause.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1台風の影響で、修学旅行は中止を（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 余儀なくされた
"Because of the typhoon, the school trip had to be canceled." The trip is affected, so the passive 余儀なくされた is correct. 余儀なくさせた needs the cause as subject; the others do not fit.
2世界的な部品の不足が、多くの工場に生産の停止を（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 余儀なくさせた
"The global parts shortage forced many factories to stop production." The subject is the cause and the affected factories are marked with に, so 余儀なくさせた is needed. 極まりない means extremely, 禁じ得ない expresses feelings, and やまない expresses strong wishes, so they do not fit.
3彼は足のけがで、＿＿ ＿＿ ＿★＿ ＿＿。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 を
The order is 3→1→2→4: 彼は足のけがで、早すぎる引退を余儀なくされた (Because of a leg injury, he was forced into an early retirement). を goes in the ★ slot.
