has been spurred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been spurred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been stimulated or encouraged to happen, often referring to growth, development, or action. Example: "The recent technological advancements have been spurred by increased investment in research and development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Adjaye's meteoric rise has been spurred by exquisite timing.

The New York Times - Food

Even Forys has been spurred by the girls.

The New York Times

Historically, Germany's strong economy has been spurred by migration.

Nature

All of this has been spurred by remarkably unsettled times.

The New York Times

But much of that growth has been spurred by aid money.

The New Yorker

The steady rise in visor use has been spurred periodically by gruesome injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

That matters because IT investment has been spurred by falling prices.

The Economist

This recovery in confidence has been spurred by an uplift in industrial sentiment.

Independent

And much of the growth has been spurred by loans, or foreign aid.

The Guardian

Hollywood's record-setting box office year has been spurred by two widely noted forces.

The New York Times

[cartoon id= a19579"] But much of that growth has been spurred by aid money.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been spurred" to emphasize the factor that initiated or accelerated a process or development. It is most effective when you want to highlight the direct cause of an action or trend.

Common error

Avoid using "has been spurred" in situations where a simpler verb like 'caused' or 'led to' would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been spurred" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that something has been initiated or encouraged by an external factor. It highlights the cause-and-effect relationship. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been spurred" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something has been initiated or encouraged, primarily by an external factor. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it functions as a passive causal phrase, frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, remember to highlight the cause-and-effect relationship effectively and to avoid overuse in simpler contexts where 'caused' or 'led to' would suffice. Consider alternatives like "has been prompted", "has been stimulated", or "has been fueled" for nuanced differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been prompted

Refers to initiating or triggering an action, often implying a direct cause.

has been stimulated

Emphasizes the encouragement of activity or growth, often in a more gradual or internal way.

has been fueled

Suggests that something has been provided with energy or resources to increase in intensity or extent.

has been motivated

Highlights the internal drive or reason that encourages action.

has been encouraged

Implies a supportive influence that gives confidence or incentive.

has been triggered

Indicates a specific event or condition that sets off a reaction or process.

has been driven

Suggests a strong force or influence compelling an action or development.

has been incited

Implies encouragement to act, often in a negative or controversial context.

has been activated

Focuses on the process of initiating or setting something in motion.

has been facilitated

Highlights the making of an action or process easier, often by removing obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "has been spurred" in a sentence?

You can use "has been spurred" to indicate that something has been stimulated or encouraged to happen. For instance, "The project's success "has been spurred" by innovative marketing strategies".

What are some alternatives to "has been spurred"?

Alternatives include "has been prompted", "has been stimulated", or "has been fueled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been spurred" formal or informal?

"Has been spurred" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone. It is suitable for both academic and professional writing but can sometimes sound overly complex in very informal contexts.

What is the difference between "has been spurred" and "has been motivated"?

"Has been spurred" implies an external factor that initiated or accelerated a process, while "has been motivated" suggests an internal drive or reason that encouraged the action. Thus, use "has been spurred" when you want to highlight the initiating cause.