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social pressure — pressure from other people

collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon

The feeling that you have to do something because other people expect it or because it is common in your group or society.

Say it like a native

Textbook I experienced considerable pressure exerted by societal expectations.

Native I felt a lot of social pressure to fit in.

Natural; the formal version is wordy and stiff.

Pattern: social pressure (to do something)

In use

  • Many teenagers feel social pressure to dress in a certain way.society
  • In my opinion, social pressure can strongly influence young people’s choices, especially when it comes to education and career paths.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ I felt social pressure of my friends.

✓ I felt social pressure from my friends.

Pressure FROM people, not 'of'.

Common collocations

  • social pressure to — to, from, intense, under

Don't confuse it

‘Peer pressure’ is usually from friends or people your age; ‘social pressure’ can come from anyone in society.

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