a strong urge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong urge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a powerful desire or impulse to do something. Example: "She felt a strong urge to travel the world and explore new cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had a strong urge to heal people.

The Guardian - Music

There is a strong urge to move on.

The New York Times

"Strangely, I've never felt a strong urge to".

The Guardian

I ordered a triple vodka and lime and had a strong urge to smoke.

Independent

A few days after that, he had a strong urge to chop wood.

The New Yorker

"I was 16 and had a strong urge to fix things.

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, when the tube enters the stomach there is a strong urge to vomit.

The Guardian

On the fourth day, she was having a strong urge to go scuba diving.

The New York Times - Health

But, like Ishmael, I intermittently get a strong urge to take to the ship.

The New Yorker

On Nov. 13, Dearth felt a strong urge to call her.

The New York Times - Sports

"I felt a strong urge in me to create something that would be a piece of the new India.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's motivations in fiction, use "a strong urge" to convey an intense, almost irresistible desire that drives their actions.

Common error

While "a strong urge" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in strictly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "compelling need" or "significant motivation" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong urge" functions as a noun phrase, where "strong" modifies the noun "urge". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing an intense feeling or impulse. Ludwig provides many examples of its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong urge" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a powerful internal drive or inclination. Ludwig shows its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias and science-related content. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the register, opting for more formal alternatives in strictly academic or business settings. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is suitable for a wide range of writing styles, making it a valuable tool for expressing intense desires or impulses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a powerful impulse

Changes the noun to "impulse", indicating a sudden, compelling desire.

a compelling need

Replaces "urge" with "need", suggesting a necessity rather than just a desire.

an overwhelming desire

Substitutes "strong urge" with "overwhelming desire", emphasizing the intensity of the feeling.

a keen inclination

Uses "keen inclination" for a more formal tone, implying a predisposition towards something.

a burning desire

Employs "burning desire" to convey a passionate and intense longing.

a great yearning

Utilizes "great yearning", suggesting a deep and persistent longing.

an intense longing

Expresses a deep and emotional desire using "intense longing".

a driving ambition

Shifts the focus to a goal-oriented desire, replacing "urge" with "ambition".

a visceral feeling

Indicates an instinctive, gut-level desire or impulse, offering a more physical connotation.

an uncontrollable impulse

Highlights the lack of control over the desire, using "uncontrollable impulse".

FAQs

How can I use "a strong urge" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong urge" to describe a powerful desire or impulse to do something. For example, "She felt "a strong urge" to travel the world.".

What can I say instead of "a strong urge"?

You can use alternatives like "a powerful impulse", "a compelling need", or "an overwhelming desire" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a strong urge" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your academic context. Alternatives like "significant motivation" or "compelling need" might be more suitable.

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

"A strong urge" implies a more immediate and perhaps less reasoned impulse, while "a strong desire" suggests a more considered and sustained longing.