an impulse for change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an impulse for change" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing motivations or desires that drive individuals or groups to seek transformation or improvement in a situation or system. Example: "The recent events have sparked an impulse for change within the community, leading to new initiatives and reforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"He cannot change everything, but he can give an impulse for change in the future".

The New York Times

Australia's referendum on the republic in 1999 provides a case study of how an impulse for change can dissipate over the detail, as voters fretted about whether they wanted the sort of presidency on offer, or a directly elected one instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The overall difficulty with this fealty to Foucault's theoretical endeavour is that its predilection for patiently descriptive theoretical investigations incurs a retreat from clear statements about possibilities for political action, and fosters a growing detachment from any impulse for change.

History of the Human Sciences

But the impulse for change will come from a new contract.

The Economist

Besides, thanks to the government's successful war on inflation, holding bonds has been an easy way to make money.Most of the impulse for change and competition has come from the "new" private-sector banks that were allowed to develop after 1991.

The Economist

But given its troubles in the courts, the impulse for change coming from the Rajoy government is not uniformly trusted.

The New York Times

This is a lesson for parties — and for voters — not to repeat the mistake of the 2016 election, during which the impulse for change or anger at "the system" led them to either ignore or rationalize a host of disqualifying factors.

The Washington Post

They were the most successful at withstanding the impulse for change".

Huffington Post

They each have an impulse for the audacious.

The New York Times - Magazine

The definition of health, adopted in 1948 by the WHO gave an impulse for further considerations.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The present retrospective analysis may constitute an impulse for prospective clinical trials.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an impulse for change" when you want to emphasize a sudden or spontaneous desire or motivation to improve or alter a situation. It suggests a reactive rather than planned transformation.

Common error

Avoid using "an impulse for change" when you actually mean "impact". "Impulse" refers to the initial impetus, while "impact" refers to the effect or result of the change. For example, say 'The economic reforms had a positive impact on the country' not 'The economic reforms had a positive impulse for change on the country'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an impulse for change" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a motivating factor or stimulus that encourages transformation or alteration. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically describes an initial push or urge towards modification.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an impulse for change" refers to the initial motivation or sudden desire that prompts transformation or alteration. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, though it appears relatively infrequently. It is most commonly found in news, scientific and encyclopedic writing. When using this phrase, be sure to emphasize the reactive nature of the change and differentiate it from sustained efforts or implemented results. Alternatives include ""a motivation for change"" or "a driving force for change", depending on the context you want to convey. Overall, Ludwig confirms that the phrase is both accurate and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a motivation for change

Focuses more explicitly on the internal drive or reason behind seeking change.

a catalyst for change

Highlights the role of something triggering or accelerating change.

a driving force for change

Emphasizes the power and intensity of the force leading to change.

a stimulus for change

Suggests an external trigger that provokes a response of change.

an impetus for transformation

Uses "impetus" and "transformation" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different connotations.

a prompt for alteration

Uses more formal vocabulary to denote a reason for modification.

a spark for innovation

Specifically targets the initiation of innovative or new approaches.

an instigation for progress

Implies a deliberate act of starting or promoting forward movement.

a trigger for reform

Specifically targets the start of systematic improvement or correction.

a reason for adjustment

Points to a cause or justification for making modifications or corrections.

FAQs

How can I use "an impulse for change" in a sentence?

You can use "an impulse for change" to describe a sudden desire or motivation to alter a situation. For example: "The community's growing frustration provided "a motivation for change", leading to new reforms."

What's the difference between "an impulse for change" and "a driving force for change"?

"An impulse for change" suggests a sudden urge or motivation, while "a driving force for change" implies a more sustained and powerful influence pushing towards transformation.

What can I say instead of "an impulse for change"?

You can use alternatives such as ""a motivation for change"", "a catalyst for change", or "a driving force for change" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "an impulse for change" formal or informal?

"An impulse for change" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.