a powerful urge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a powerful urge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or impulse that someone feels towards something. Example: "She felt a powerful urge to travel the world and experience new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A powerful urge to attend multiple viewings of "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel".

The New York Times

But the totality is fascinating, compelling and evokes a powerful urge to explore and discover.

The Guardian - Arts

But it is also an age with a powerful urge toward aesthetic experiment".

The New York Times - Arts

It's from that heady time when I first visited the pueblo and felt a powerful urge to stay and explore.

The New York Times - Science

By the war's end the public had a great pile of disposable income -- and a powerful urge to spend it.

The New York Times - Books

I spent a considerable portion of the show fighting a powerful urge to nod off; I bet I wasn't alone.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Besides, the draft gave millions of Americans under 30 a mighty powerful urge to hit the road.

The New York Times

Throughout this intensely philosophical memoir, which is Ruta's first book, the author continually reminds her readers that the desire to grow is always fraught with an equally powerful urge to regress.

The New York Times - Books

ThiSomething originaboutappeared on VICE UK.

Vice

Tracing their footsteps, sensing not only space but time itself being displaced and compressed, one feels the powerful urge to don a trench coat and a fedora, and somehow step away into the filmic New York night.

The New York Times

Fixation of sexual aims or objects can occur at any particular moment, caused either by an actual trauma or the blockage of a powerful libidinal urge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a powerful urge" to convey a strong, almost irresistible desire or impulse. It's more impactful than simply stating a desire.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "a powerful urge" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "intense desire" or "compelling need" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful urge" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a strong feeling or impulse. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a powerful urge" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to articulate a compelling desire or impulse. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It finds common usage across diverse contexts, particularly within News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science-related content. Although the phrase is considered neutral and adaptable, it's wise to avoid overuse and explore synonyms to maintain stylistic variation. When using this phrase, remember that you are conveying an emotional state that is hard to resist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intense desire

Emphasizes the strength of the feeling.

a compelling need

Highlights the sense of necessity or requirement.

an overwhelming impulse

Focuses on the sudden and irresistible nature of the feeling.

a strong inclination

Indicates a tendency or leaning towards something.

an irresistible temptation

Highlights the alluring and difficult-to-resist nature.

a consuming passion

Implies a deep and all-encompassing enthusiasm.

an uncontrollable craving

Emphasizes the lack of control over the desire.

a burning ambition

Highlights a strong desire for achievement.

a profound longing

Indicates a deep and heartfelt desire for something often absent.

a magnetic pull

Suggests an attraction that is difficult to resist.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a powerful urge" in a sentence?

Use "a powerful urge" to describe a strong, nearly irresistible desire or impulse. For example, "He felt "a powerful urge" to explore the unknown."

What are some alternatives to "a powerful urge"?

You can use alternatives like "an intense desire", "a compelling need", or "an overwhelming impulse" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a powerful urge" formal or informal?

"A powerful urge" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a strong urge" and "a powerful urge"?

While similar, ""a powerful urge"" suggests a more intense and compelling feeling than "a strong urge".