at the urging

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the urging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action that someone did in response to advice or encouragement from someone else. For example: "He finally agreed to take the job at the urging of his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the urging of Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Lieu pulled back at the urging of Democratic leaders.

The New York Times

Many did so at the urging of their fans.

The New York Times

Then, at the urging of his opponent, it was rescinded.

The Washington Post

Corning commercialized the glass, which is strengthened with potassium ions, at the urging of Steve Jobs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bank boards of directors — perhaps at the urging of shareholders and creditors — should require this.

The New York Times

Then, at the urging of the readers of her blog, she began selling them on Etsy.

The New York Times

Horwitz began posting in January at the urging of Jeff Wilpon, the team's chief operating officer.

The New York Times - Sports

At the urging of President Obama, more high schools are making "college readiness" a goal.

The New York Times

At the urging of her grandmother, the next time she saw him she was more flirtatious.

The New Yorker

The ruling also came at the urging of the financial industry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the urging", ensure the context makes it clear who is doing the urging and who is being urged. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your sentence.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by clearly identifying who did the urging. Instead of saying, "Changes were made at the urging," specify who recommended those changes: "Changes were made at the urging of the board of directors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the urging" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the cause or instigation of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as exemplified across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the urging" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was taken because someone was encouraged or advised to do so. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, from formal news reports to encyclopedic entries. Its frequent appearance in media sources, as well as academic and business contexts, highlights its broad usability. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify who is doing the urging to maintain clarity. For slight variations in meaning, consider alternatives like "on the advice of" or "prompted by". Remember, clarity and context are essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the advice of

Focuses more on the guidance provided, implying a recommendation that was followed.

at the suggestion of

Highlights the initial idea or proposal that led to an action.

prompted by

Emphasizes the action of initiating or instigating an event or decision.

on the encouragement of

Stresses the support and motivation received, leading to a particular outcome.

at the instigation of

Implies a more direct and possibly forceful initiation of action.

on the prompting of

Similar to 'prompted by', but may suggest a gentler form of encouragement.

influenced by

Indicates a broader impact, where the action was shaped by external factors.

following the lead of

Suggests guidance through example or direction, rather than direct urging.

as a result of persuasion by

Highlights the act of convincing someone to take a particular course of action.

due to the recommendation from

Explicitly links the action to a specific recommendation that was followed.

FAQs

How can I use "at the urging" in a sentence?

Use "at the urging" to show that someone did something because someone else advised or encouraged them to do it. For example, "He decided to invest in the company "at the urging" of his financial advisor".

What are some alternatives to saying "at the urging"?

You can use phrases like "on the advice of", "prompted by", or "at the suggestion of" as alternatives to "at the urging", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "on the urging of" instead of "at the urging of"?

While "at the urging of" is the more common and accepted phrase, "on the urging of" might be understood but is not standard English. Using "at the urging of" ensures clarity and adherence to conventional grammar.

What's the difference between "at the urging of" and "at the suggestion of"?

"At the urging of" implies a stronger push or encouragement, while "at the suggestion of" simply means someone offered an idea that was followed. "Urging" suggests more persistence than a mere "suggestion".