a decisive spurt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive spurt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and significant increase in activity, progress, or performance in a particular context. Example: "The team experienced a decisive spurt in productivity after implementing the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Toney-El contributed strongly to a decisive spurt early in the second half that gave Seton Hall a 59-46 lead.

The New York Times - Sports

STANFORD 76, WASHINGTON 54 Jayne Appel scored 7 of her 16 points during a decisive spurt to start the second half, and No. 7 Stanford pulled away on the road.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Bulls were leading, 94-93, after Derrick Rose drove for a layup, but Bibby buried a jumper over Joakim Noah to start a decisive 7-0 spurt.

The New York Times

Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 13 rebounds, but he was only 7 of 18 from the field and was called for traveling during Charlotte's decisive spurt.

The New York Times

While most will point to Rose's performance, the Chicago bench played a key role in a decisive second-quarter spurt.

The New York Times - Sports

She made a decisive decision.

Huffington Post

W. VIRGINIA 75, N. MEXICO ST. 61 Da'Sean Butler scored 9 points in a decisive 21-4 second-half spurthatat carried West Virginia (3-1) past New Mexico State (2-4) in the consolation game of the StubHub Legends Classic.

The New York Times - Sports

By contrast, a decisive Clinton win in much-bigger New York would squelch most of the late momentum her challenger has garnered with his spurt of wins in smaller states.

Los Angeles Times

He won a decisive mandate.

The Economist

Is this a decisive argument?

The New York Times

"They want a decisive leader".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decisive spurt", ensure the context clearly indicates what is experiencing the spurt. For example, specify 'a decisive spurt in sales' or 'a decisive spurt of energy' to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive spurt" when you only mean something is important. 'Decisive' here implies a turning point or a factor that determines an outcome due to its sudden and impactful nature, not just its significance.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. "A decisive spurt" functions as a descriptive term, specifying the nature of the spurt. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Sports

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a decisive spurt" denotes a sudden, significant increase or burst that influences an outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and usable, particularly in news and sports contexts. While alternative phrases exist, such as ""a critical surge"" or ""a game-changing burst"", "a decisive spurt" emphasizes the influential nature of the increase. Be mindful to use it when you truly mean an event is a turning point, not just important. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and is most frequently encountered in media and sports reporting, as determined by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical surge

Replaces 'decisive' with 'critical' and 'spurt' with 'surge', emphasizing the importance and suddenness of the increase.

a game-changing burst

Highlights the impact of the spurt, suggesting it significantly alters the course of events.

a pivotal run

Commonly used in sports, this phrase indicates a series of plays or actions that are crucial to the outcome.

a significant upswing

Focuses on the positive increase or improvement, often used in economic or performance contexts.

a crucial rally

Similar to 'pivotal run', often used in sports to describe a comeback or strong effort to regain momentum.

a notable upsurge

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the sudden increase or burst.

a turning-point moment

Suggests that the spurt marks a significant shift or change in direction.

a momentum shift

Focuses on the change in momentum, indicating a change in the flow or direction of events.

a forceful push

Highlights the strength and intensity of the sudden increase or effort.

a marked acceleration

Emphasizes the increasing speed or rate of progress.

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive spurt" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive spurt" to describe a sudden and significant increase in activity or progress. For example: "The team experienced "a decisive spurt" in productivity after implementing the new software".

What are some alternatives to using "a decisive spurt"?

Alternatives include "a critical surge", "a game-changing burst", or "a significant upswing", depending on the specific context.

Is "decisive spurt" formal or informal language?

"Decisive spurt" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for news reporting, business analysis, and sports commentary, but perhaps less appropriate for very informal conversations.

What does "a decisive spurt" imply about the situation it describes?

"A decisive spurt" implies that the sudden increase or burst is not only significant but also likely to determine or heavily influence the final outcome or direction of events.