inspire awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inspire awe" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to express a feeling that something has prompted admiration or respect. For example, "The sheer size of the mountain inspired awe in us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In such moments, he could inspire awe.

The New York Times - Sports

Both inspire awe, reverence and deep animosity.

The New York Times - Sports

When on form he can inspire awe and pathos.

The Economist

Ingratiatingly creamy, it may inspire awe or horror.

The New York Times - Food

Popular revolutions can inspire awe that turns quickly to fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

The carver created it to inspire awe, respect and fear.

The New York Times

The name Mike Bragman used to inspire awe around here.

The New York Times

Beyond eliciting understanding, they're clearly produced to inspire awe.

The Guardian - Film

Signing Pujols would have been Loria's Mona Lisa, guaranteed to draw crowds and inspire awe.

The New York Times - Sports

And then there are the rare few who inspire awe by being both.

The New York Times

The new Mass simply does not convey spirituality or inspire awe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inspire awe" to describe something that evokes a strong feeling of reverence and admiration, often due to its grandeur, beauty, or exceptional quality. For example, "The vastness of the universe can inspire awe."

Common error

Avoid using "inspire awe" to describe mundane or commonplace experiences. This phrase should be reserved for situations or phenomena that genuinely elicit a sense of profound respect and wonder.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inspire awe" functions as a verb phrase, where "inspire" is the verb and "awe" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the act of causing someone to feel a sense of profound respect and wonder. Ludwig examples confirm its common usage in describing impactful experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inspire awe" is a verb phrase used to describe something that evokes deep respect, admiration, and wonder. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal writing. While versatile, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant a strong emotional response, avoiding its overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives such as "evoke wonder" or "command respect" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. Using "inspire awe" effectively involves recognizing the profound impact that the subject has on an individual or group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke wonder

Focuses on the feeling of wonder, less on the respect aspect.

fill with wonder

Highlights the act of instilling a sense of marvel.

spark admiration

Suggests generating feelings of approval and respect.

elicit admiration

Similar to spark admiration, but more about drawing it out.

generate admiration

Focuses on the creation of admiration.

command respect

Emphasizes the aspect of respect and authority, rather than amazement.

stir reverence

Emphasizes deep respect, almost worshipful.

create astonishment

Focuses on creating surprise and amazement.

produce amazement

Similar to create astonishment but emphasizes the production of the feeling.

foster respect

Highlights nurturing and growing respect over time.

FAQs

How can I use "inspire awe" in a sentence?

You can use "inspire awe" to describe things that evoke strong feelings of reverence, admiration, or wonder. For example, "The architecture of the cathedral is designed to "inspire awe" in visitors".

What phrases are similar to "inspire awe"?

Similar phrases include "evoke wonder", "command respect", and "fill with wonder", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it appropriate to use "inspire awe" in formal writing?

Yes, "inspire awe" is appropriate for formal writing when describing something that genuinely evokes profound respect and admiration. However, avoid using it in trivial or commonplace situations.

What's the difference between "inspire awe" and "inspire admiration"?

"Inspire awe" suggests a deeper, more profound feeling of reverence and wonder, while "inspire admiration" focuses more on respect and approval. The Grand Canyon "inspires awe", while a skilled surgeon might "inspire admiration".