impetus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "impetus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that gives energy, strength, or courage. For example: "The motivation from his family was the impetus he needed to achieve success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If, as seems likely, Ireland vote for marriage equality then Australia will be the only developed English-speaking country that doesn't allow same-sex couples to marry and that will be a major impetus for reform in this country," Croome said.

The Guardian

But he has not just returned to the team well ahead of schedule but done so with a vitality and impetus that has seen him supplant Nani, the club's player of the year, as a near-certainty to face Barcelona at Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

Some felt that the main target of the first of the Paris attacks – the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo – gave the mainstream media more impetus to report it.

The Guardian

Although Lovefilm, like Netflix, has also branched into film downloads, it believes the DVD has many years to run as the "medium of choice", with fresh impetus from new high definition formats.

The Guardian - Business

But the impetus for the adoption of the single currency came from the French, who felt the Bundesbank was too powerful and that its influence could be diluted by a European central bank.

The Guardian - Business

In many cases, as with baseball's American League, football's All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and hockey's Western Hockey League (WHL) and World Hockey Association WHAA), the impetus for forming a second major league was to bring the sport into regions lacking professional options.

The Guardian - Sport

"There has been a little bit more impetus in the negotiations between the three institutions and the Greek government for several days," Thomsen said.

The Guardian - Business

The impetus is now on funders to support early career researchers when making decisions about where to publish, and on publishers to offer appropriate open access homes for their research.

The Guardian

The impetus for conflict minerals legislation stems from resource-fuelled conflicts in eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1994 and 2003, which reached near-genocidal proportions, claiming as many as 5 million lives.

The Guardian

It might also be worth noting that, unusually for an actor, Carlyle's initial impetus came from reading a play, and not from watching another actor perform.

The Guardian - Film

The impetus for this novel came in 2005 when he was part of an expedition of artists and scientists who spent several weeks aboard a ship near the north pole to discuss environmental concerns.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impetus" when you want to emphasize the initial force or motivation behind an action or process. It's particularly effective when highlighting what kick-started a significant change or development.

Common error

Avoid using "impetus" when a gentle suggestion or mild encouragement is more appropriate. "Impetus" implies a substantial push or driving force, so choose a weaker term like "suggestion" or "encouragement" if the context calls for it.

Linguistic Context

The noun "impetus" functions primarily as a subject or object within a sentence, identifying the driving force or motivation behind an action or event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes something that stimulates or encourages progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impetus" is a versatile noun that signifies the initial driving force or motivation behind an action, change, or development. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While alternatives like "driving force" or "motivation" exist, "impetus" emphasizes the kick-starting element of a significant change. Be mindful to avoid overstating the level of force when using "impetus", as it implies a substantial push. With its frequent use in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist, mastering the usage of "impetus" can significantly enhance your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driving force

This alternative highlights the active and compelling nature of the stimulus.

motivating factor

This alternative emphasizes the psychological aspect of what encourages action.

stimulus

This alternative is a general term for something that provokes a response or activity.

catalyst

This refers to something that triggers or accelerates a process, especially a chemical reaction or change.

incentive

This suggests a reward or advantage that motivates someone to take action.

spur

This is a more direct and immediate form of encouragement or motivation.

push

This emphasizes the act of propelling or urging something forward.

boost

This suggests an increase or improvement that provides added momentum.

fuel

This evokes the idea of providing energy or resources to sustain or accelerate something.

spark

This implies the initial trigger or beginning of something.

FAQs

How can I use "impetus" in a sentence?

Use "impetus" to describe something that provides the initial force or motivation for an action. For example, "The new policy provided the impetus for change."

What's a good alternative to "impetus"?

Depending on the context, you could use "driving force", "motivation", or "stimulus". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an impetus" or "a impetus"?

"Impetus" is a non-count noun, so it's generally used without an article. However, you can say "a major impetus" or "an important impetus" if you want to emphasize a particular aspect of the impetus.

What is the difference between "impetus" and "incentive"?

"Impetus" refers to the initial driving force or motivation behind something, while "incentive" refers to something that encourages a particular action or behavior, often a reward or benefit.