inspire

USAGE SUMMARY

"inspire" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of motivating or encouraging someone. For example: "The inspiring TED talk gave me the courage to pursue my dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Education

Business

Lifestyle

Arts

Travel

Books

Film

Music

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A self-catering stay here might well inspire a bit of poetic inspiration - since restoration, the house has become a somewhat sumptuous indulgence just for two.

The Guardian - Travel

So this year, we're publishing our second annual "it's happening" gallery designed to inspire, excite and counter the insidious narrative from the climate sceptics and go-slowers, that the UK is engaged in some kind of unique and isolated climate folly.

The Guardian

Our beliefs can elevate and inspire, and well-policed secularism – a version of secularism that doesn't itself become an alternative set of rigid, aggressive beliefs – could help us to do both.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can change my life and other people's lives and help inspire people.

The Guardian - Sport

To help inspire students, I displayed newspaper cuttings around the stall, as well as drawings which had featured on my blog, Picture Politics, which looks at the relationship between art and politics.

The Guardian

Justin Welby said foreign correspondents and war reporters were a "God-given calling to inspire others to serve our common humanity" and helped challenge people's complacency that what happened elsewhere in the world "did not matter".

The Guardian

Because anonymous gifts do little to inspire other donors.

The Guardian

Not even Harry Kane, a second-half substitute here, could inspire a late period of pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

The home side's half-backs Danny Care and Evans were lighting fires all over the pitch to inspire some terrific running rugby but, for once, Evans was wayward with his kicking at goal, missing three chances to stretch the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Director Nigel Cole's film is meant to inspire today's young women to continue their mothers' struggle towards the ever-disappearing will o' the wisp that is equal pay.

The Guardian

Recent headlines don't inspire the same sense of awe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inspire", consider the specific emotion or action you want to elicit. Choose synonyms like "motivate" or "encourage" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "inspire" passively (e.g., "He was inspired by...") if an active construction (e.g., "His work inspired...") is more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inspire" is as a transitive verb. It describes the act of filling someone with the desire, confidence, or enthusiasm to do or feel something, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

10%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Education

5%

Business

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "inspire" functions as a verb used to convey the act of motivating or encouraging someone. With a grammatical status of 'Correct' and a 'Very common' frequency of use, Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability. It is frequently found in 'News & Media', 'Sport' and 'Opinion' contexts. To improve your writing, consider using synonyms such as "motivate" or "encourage" for greater precision, and avoid overuse in the passive voice. This guide offers a complete picture of how to effectively incorporate "inspire" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivate

Focuses more directly on providing a reason or incentive to act.

encourage

Suggests giving someone confidence or support.

stimulate

Implies provoking interest or excitement.

galvanize

Conveys the idea of shocking or arousing someone into sudden activity.

excite

Emphasizes the emotional response of enthusiasm or eagerness.

influence

Highlights the power to affect someone's behavior or thinking.

animate

Implies giving life or vigor to something.

spur

Indicates urging someone on with an abrupt or sharp encouragement.

ignite

Suggests setting off a sudden burst of passion or enthusiasm.

foster

Implies nurturing or developing something gradually.

FAQs

How can I use "inspire" in a sentence?

You can use "inspire" to describe the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, for example, "The speaker's words inspired the audience to take action."

What are some alternatives to the word "inspire"?

Consider using alternatives such as "motivate", "encourage", or "stimulate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "inspire" and "motivate"?

"Inspire" often refers to an emotional or spiritual influence, while "motivate" focuses on providing a reason or incentive for action. They're similar but "motivate" tends to be more goal-oriented.

Is it correct to say "inspired to do something" or "inspired of doing something"?

The correct usage is "inspired to do something". The preposition "to" is used to indicate the action that follows the inspiration. For example, "She was inspired to write a poem" is correct.