idea sprung up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "idea sprung up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a sudden or spontaneous emergence of a thought or concept. An example could be: "During the meeting, an idea sprung up that could revolutionize our approach." Alternative expressions include "idea emerged" and "idea came to mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The idea sprung up during 10th grade finals (how old am I?) when the duo realized they wanted a better way to stay on top of all of their work.

TechCrunch

Afterward the idea sprung up of whether we could publish a similar type of editorial domestically.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The idea sprang up over pub drinks between Ben Hamilton and Ed Ford.

The Guardian

The civil war put an end to southern nullification efforts, but the idea sprang up again when several states registered intransigent opposition to school desegregation efforts in the 1950s.

The Economist

This has also led to new campaigns and ideas springing up in response to events that take place in the same way.

The Guardian

We know a lot about these black holes now; but we didn't know it then, so some rather fanciful ideas sprang up to explain this.

University of Chicago

Having wandered into the NTS office with a GoPano (a 360° panoramic video camera), ideas sprung up about creating 360° trailers for future productions.

The Guardian

It is certainly no accident that the post-idea world has sprung up alongside the social networking world.

The New York Times

Grass-roots movements have sprung up around the idea, and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and politicians from across the political spectrum are hailing it.

The New York Times

The millions of natural hair blogs, vlogs and communities that have sprung up around this idea – celebrating the sheer fun, transformative power and singular beauty of hair – prove my point.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An idea briefly sprang up that perhaps birders, whose early-morning marches give the impression of an indefatigable and non-violent tribe of zealots, could retake Malheur for the conservationists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "idea sprung up" to describe a thought or concept that arose spontaneously or unexpectedly. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "idea sprung up" is acceptable, avoid excessive use of figurative language in formal writing. Opt for more direct expressions like "the idea emerged" for clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "idea sprung up" is that of a verb phrase, indicating the sudden appearance or origination of a thought or concept. This aligns with the Ludwig AI analysis, showing correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "idea sprung up" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys the spontaneous emergence of a thought or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is generally correct across various contexts, although it appears more frequently in News & Media, Academia and Science. While acceptable, writers should consider using more formal alternatives like "thought emerged" in professional settings. The phrase serves to indicate a sudden and often unexpected origin of an idea, making it a valuable tool for describing creative processes or moments of inspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought emerged

Replaces "idea" with "thought" and uses a more formal verb, "emerged", indicating a gradual appearance.

concept arose

Substitutes "idea" with "concept", emphasizing a broader, more abstract notion; "arose" implies a more gradual development.

notion surfaced

Replaces "idea" with "notion", suggesting a casual or informal concept. "Surfaced" indicates it became apparent or known.

inspiration sparked

Emphasizes the sudden burst of creativity or motivation behind the idea, replacing the passive emergence with an active ignition.

plan materialized

Indicates a more concrete and actionable form of the idea, suggesting it took shape and became feasible.

it dawned on someone

Shifts the focus to the realization of the idea by a person, rather than the idea's independent emergence.

it struck someone

Implies the idea came as a sudden realization or revelation to a specific person.

the thought occurred

Offers a more neutral and common way to express the appearance of an idea, focusing on the mental occurrence.

an inkling developed

Replaces "idea" with "inkling", suggesting a vague or uncertain idea that gradually formed.

a brainwave hit

Implies the idea was a sudden, clever, and innovative thought, differing from a simple emergence.

FAQs

What does the phrase "idea sprung up" mean?

The phrase "idea sprung up" means that an idea suddenly came to mind or emerged unexpectedly. It suggests a spontaneous origin of a thought or concept.

Is "idea sprung up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "idea sprung up" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "idea sprung up"?

Some alternatives to "idea sprung up" include "thought emerged", "concept arose", or "notion surfaced", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "idea sprung up" in a sentence?

You can use "idea sprung up" in a sentence like this: "During the meeting, the idea sprung up to create a new marketing campaign."