at their urging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their urging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has encouraged or persuaded another person to take a specific action. Example: "At their urging, I decided to apply for the scholarship that I had been considering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

At their urging, prosecutors across the continent have launched proceedings.

The Economist

"You should write it down!" the girls exclaimed — and, at their urging, he began to do so.

The New Yorker

At their urging, he wrote a book, The Japanese House (1935), explaining Japanese architecture to the West.

Encyclopedia Britannica

City officials said that Google's hospitality did not come at their urging and that no public funds would be used.

The New York Times

"She went through the screening process with an elevated temperature with their approval and at their urging," she said.

The Guardian

"You should write it down!" the girls exclaimed and, at their urging, he began to do so.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Now, at their daughters' urging, they were asking Father Ryan to perform the long-delayed ceremony.

The New York Times

Unlike younger patients, who may be treated at their parents' urging, adults generally seek help on their own, and can leave just as easily.

The New York Times - Health

Girls could qualify for the older age groups as well, but most dropped out before that — often at their parents' urging.

The New Yorker

Women are learning to drive, some at their husbands' urging so they can help with family errands.

Los Angeles Times

It was as if all that exposure to computerized violence gave them the idea to go on a rampage — or at least fueled their urges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at their urging" to clearly indicate the source of encouragement or influence behind a particular action or decision. This adds clarity and attribution to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at their urging" when the action was actually a mutual decision or originated from another source. Ensure the prompting genuinely came from the individuals you're attributing it to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their urging" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the cause or reason behind an action, specifying that the action was performed because someone or some group encouraged it. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at their urging" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase that signifies an action or decision resulting from the encouragement or persuasion of others. As Ludwig AI indicates, its use is appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as encyclopedic entries, to provide clarity and attribution. While alternative phrases like "at their instigation" or "at their prompting" exist, "at their urging" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Be sure to accurately attribute agency to avoid misrepresentation and enrich the context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at their instigation

Emphasizes the initiation or start of an action due to their influence.

at their prompting

Highlights the act of encouraging someone to say or do something.

at their recommendation

Focuses on their advice or suggestion as the reason for the action.

at their suggestion

Similar to recommendation, but implies a less formal piece of advice.

due to their encouragement

Highlights the positive support they provided.

because they advised

Directly states that their advice was the cause of the action.

on their advice

Similar to "because they advised", but more concise.

under their influence

Implies a broader impact on decision-making.

as a result of their urging

Emphasizes the consequence of their encouragement.

at their insistence

Suggests a firm or persistent request from them.

FAQs

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

You can use "at their urging" to indicate that someone or a group of people encouraged a particular action. For example, "At their urging, I applied for the job."

What can I say instead of "at their urging"?

You can use alternatives like "at their instigation", "at their prompting", or "at their recommendation" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to say "at their urging"?

The phrase "at their urging" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "at their urging" and "on their own initiative"?

"At their urging" means someone was encouraged or persuaded to do something, while "on their own initiative" means someone acted independently without external prompting. They have opposite meanings.