Spur

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'spur' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It has multiple meanings and can be used in different contexts. One possible meaning of 'spur' is a pointed device attached to a rider's boot and used to urge a horse forward. Example: "The cowboy used his spurs to gallop his horse through the fields." Another meaning of 'spur' is to stimulate or encourage something. Example: "The recent increase in sales has spurred the company to invest in new technology." 'Spur' can also be used as a noun to describe a sudden burst of energy or motivation. Example: "The team's victory in the previous game was a spur for them to work harder in training." As a verb, 'spur' can mean to prompt or incite someone or something. Example: "His passion for social justice spurred him to join the protest march." Additionally, 'spur' can refer to a pointed growth on a plant or animal, such as the spurs on a rooster. Example: "The rooster's sharp spurs were used for defense against predators." In summary, 'spur' is a versatile word that can be used in various ways in written English to.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boris Johnson, the London mayor, got into hot water last week when he praised the value of greed as a spur to progress and controversially suggested some people struggle to get on in life because of their low IQs.

The Guardian

"I want to become the best player in the world, I think we definitely spur each other on," McIlroy said shortly after the relationship became public.

The Guardian - Sport

The Business Roundtable, Washington's top business lobby group, had urged the Senate to pass TPA "without delay" arguing the trade pact would support US jobs and spur economic growth.

The Guardian

The real spur behind the coalition's attack on the working time directive is to be seen by business to be cutting the much hated but vastly over-hyped "red tape" that is supposed to stifle entrepreneurship.

The Guardian - Opinion

"By promoting clean, domestic energy alternatives and efficiency, we can reduce pollution, advance the goal of energy independence for our nation, and spur the creation of new manufacturing jobs in America," the senator said in a statement.

The Guardian

The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said the tragedy should be a spur to action.

The Guardian

If you feel like you're actually achieving something, it will spur you on to achieve the next thing, and I think that's really important.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Regional turmoil, Greece's own internal deflation – a process that though savage has produced bargain basement deals – and the introduction of longer opening hours at museums and archaeological sites have helped spur the turnaround.

The Guardian

These economic forecasts are also used by the president and Congress as a spur or support for legislation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chloe Smith, the MP for Norwich North, spearheaded the taskforce to persuade the government to bring Norfolk's city within an hour and a half of London, instead of the current 110-117 minutes on most journeys, to spur regeneration and employment.

The Guardian

"If the young players of today don't use this to spur them on then they are making a mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the noun form to describe motivation, the preposition "to" is the most natural follow-up, as in "a spur to action".

Common error

Avoid confusing "spur" with "spurn". While to "spur" is to encourage or incite, to "spurn" means to reject with disdain. Using one for the other can completely reverse the intended meaning of a sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "spur" functions as both a noun and a transitive verb. As a verb, it describes the act of inciting or urging something forward, whereas as a noun, it refers to the stimulus itself or a physical sharp projection. Ludwig AI shows it is often used to connect a cause to an intended effect in professional writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Informal

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "spur" is a versatile and powerful term used to describe the initiation or acceleration of action. Whether acting as a verb to drive economic growth or as a noun in the idiom "on the spur of the moment", it conveys a sense of dynamic movement. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in top-tier publications, particularly in contexts involving policy, motivation and competition. By using "spur" instead of simpler words like "cause" or "help", writers can add a layer of precision and vigor to their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stimulate

Focuses on increasing levels of activity or interest in a broader sense.

incentivize

Specifically refers to providing a motive or reward for an action.

prompt

Suggests causing an immediate reaction or decision.

catalyze

Implies acting as a catalyst to accelerate a process.

drive

Conveys a sense of forceful or persistent motivation.

motivate

Relates more to internal or psychological reasons for action.

encourage

A softer alternative focused on giving support or hope.

propel

Gives a sense of moving something forward physically or figuratively.

instigate

Often used for initiating a specific action, sometimes with a negative connotation.

goad

Implies prodding someone into action through annoyance or persistence.

FAQs

How do I use "spur" in a sentence?

You can use "spur" as a verb meaning to encourage, such as "The tax cuts were designed to "spur investment"", or as a noun in phrases like "it was a "spur to the economy"".

What is the difference between "spur" and "stimulate"?

While both mean to increase activity, "stimulate" is often more general, whereas "spur" carries a connotation of prodding or pushing something into action more quickly.

What does "on the spur of the moment" mean?

This common idiom means doing something suddenly and impulsively. For example, "They decided to go to Paris on the "spur of the moment"".

Can "spur" be used for animal tracks?

No, if you are referring to the track or scent of an animal, you should use the word "spoor" instead of "spur".