inspirations

USAGE SUMMARY

"inspirations" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe sources of creative ideas or motivation. For example: "He got many of his inspirations from the paintings in the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Past inspirations for the Google Doodle include Sir Isaac Newton, the composer Stravinsky and the children's television series Sesame Street.

The Guardian - Music

For the coming autumn collection – which starts to hit shelves in August – suitably erudite inspirations include a book of photographs by the architect John Pawson ("amazing images of nature, with intense autumnal colours, bold oranges and saffrons", says Andersson) as well as Patti Smith and Nick Cave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her raw, frayed vocals feel older than her age would suggest, and she credits the likes of Tom Waits, James Carr and Alan Lomax's field recordings as inspirations.

The Guardian

The former mayor of Baltimore, said to be one of the inspirations for the Tommy Carcetti character in The Wire, has introduced gun control legislation, abolished the death penalty and legalised same-sex marriages, all while successfully increasing government spending on areas such as transport.

The Guardian

One of the inspirations for the show was this wonderful lady we met, Alaa al-Abasi.

The Guardian

In a hyper-saturated style that owes a lot to "City of God" (and in turn to Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas"), "Elite Squad" makes for strong medicine.Like its inspirations, this film is hyper-violent: the titular squad is an elite paramilitary unit called BOPE.

The Economist

Inspirations included Wikipedia, the web encyclopedia written by volunteers, and the leak of the Pentagon Papers by Daniel Ellsberg to the New York Times during the Vietnam war, which ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that "only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government".

The Economist

Dick Grasso, the combative chairman of the NYSE, likes to cite his two conservative heroes of the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, as chief inspirations for both privatisation and the spread of share ownership.

The Economist

Mr Edelman, a financier, was supposedly one of the inspirations behind the character of Gordon Gekko from the film "Wall Street".

The Economist

Mr Icahn was reputedly one of the inspirations for Gordon "greed is good" Gekko in the 1980s film, "Wall Street".

The Economist

It's probably to Mr O'Malley's advantage that David Simon, the creator of the legendary HBO police series The Wire, has argued that Mr O'Malley is one of the inspirations for the show's character Tommy Carcetti, a Baltimore city councilman who eventually becomes mayor of the city and governor of the state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "inspirations", be specific about where the ideas or motivations originate to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "inspirations" as a vague substitute for influences or motivations. Provide specific examples or details to make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inspirations" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple sources of creative thought or motivation. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It's often found describing the origins or influences behind creative works.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inspirations" functions as a plural noun denoting sources of creativity or motivation. As Ludwig shows, it is considered grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. While the term carries a neutral to formal tone, its communicative purpose lies in identifying the origins that spark creativity or innovation. Given Ludwig AI's analysis, remember to use "inspirations" when referring to multiple sources and provide specific examples to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creative influences

Highlights the impact on creative output.

sources of creativity

Focuses on the origin of innovative ideas.

springboards for ideas

Highlights how inspirations can be the starting point.

driving forces

Suggests powerful influences that propel progress.

motivating factors

Emphasizes elements that drive action or enthusiasm.

stimuli

Highlights what prompts creativity or action.

catalysts for innovation

Focuses on elements that spark new developments.

guiding lights

Highlights individuals or principles providing guidance and vision.

influential figures

Focuses on people who provide direction and creativity.

muses

Refers to the traditional source of artistic inspiration.

FAQs

How can I use "inspirations" in a sentence?

You can use "inspirations" to refer to sources of creative ideas or motivation, such as "Her travels provided her with many "inspirations" for her writing".

What's a good alternative to using "inspirations"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "creative influences", "motivating factors", or "sources of creativity".

Is it correct to say "my inspiration" or "my inspirations"?

Both are correct depending on the context. Use "inspiration" when referring to a single source or concept. Use "inspirations" when referring to multiple sources or influences.

What is the difference between "influences" and "inspirations"?

"Influences" generally refer to anything that has an effect on something, while "inspirations" specifically denote sources of creative or motivational ideas.