inspire envy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inspire envy" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to cause someone to feel jealous or covetous of someone or something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing someone's accomplishments or possessions that may make others envious. Example: Her luxurious lifestyle and designer wardrobe inspired envy among her peers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

You inspire envy and loathing.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's make-up; there's lighting; it is intended to be extreme, not realistic - to inspire envy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hers are not portraits as advertising, they don't flatter the sitter or inspire envy in the viewer.

The Guardian - Arts

A mysterious set of keys — now that's strategic maneuvering to inspire envy in the Dungeons and Dragons crowd.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, in 2016 marriage feels optional, not mandatory – surely we all know singletons whose fabulous lives are more likely to inspire envy than pity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The spring line from Mary Quant -- mascara, eye shadow, nail polish and even lip gloss -- offers green and more green, in shades to inspire envy.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

So now the cautiousness of people like David Flynn inspires envy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Xi's system inspires envy from autocrats, but little admiration from ordinary citizens around the world.

The New Yorker

She takes pride living in a building that has long inspired envy and attracted tourists, even if many of her neighbors are not interested.

The New York Times

They're also in possession of a spectacular piece of real estate on Swansea's West End, and a house that would have inspired envy in Jay Gatsby.

The New York Times - Books

Like this: In both life and the food industry, when something is very good, it inspires envy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inspire envy" when you want to emphasize that something or someone is causing feelings of jealousy or covetousness in others due to their desirable qualities or achievements.

Common error

Ensure that the subject inspiring envy is clearly identified. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what qualities or possessions are causing the envious feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inspire envy" functions as a verb phrase, where "inspire" is the transitive verb and "envy" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes the act of causing someone to feel envy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inspire envy" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily within News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes the act of causing feelings of jealousy or covetousness. While synonyms like "elicit envy" or "provoke envy" offer subtle variations, "inspire envy" remains a clear and versatile choice. When using this phrase, ensure that the source of envy is clearly attributed to avoid any ambiguity. Ultimately, its prevalence and straightforward meaning make it a reliable tool for expressing the generation of envious feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit envy

Replaces "inspire" with "elicit", focusing on the act of drawing out the emotion.

provoke envy

Uses "provoke" to suggest a stronger, more deliberate instigation of envy.

arouse envy

Employs "arouse" to imply a stirring up of envy that may have been latent.

generate envy

Substitutes "inspire" with "generate", highlighting the creation or production of envy.

cause envy

Uses "cause" for a more direct and straightforward expression of inducing envy.

instill envy

Implies a gradual or subtle implanting of envy in others.

create envy

Similar to "generate envy", but emphasizes the act of bringing envy into existence.

give rise to envy

A more formal expression suggesting that something leads to the emergence of envy.

spark envy

Uses "spark" to convey a sudden or quick ignition of envious feelings.

awaken envy

Suggests bringing envy to consciousness or awareness.

FAQs

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

You can use "inspire envy" to describe actions, possessions, or qualities that cause others to feel jealous. For example, "Her achievements in the field "inspire envy" among her colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "inspire envy"?

Alternatives include "elicit envy", "provoke envy", or "arouse envy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "inspire envy"?

While envy is often seen as a negative emotion, "inspire envy" can sometimes be used to acknowledge someone's success or desirability in a neutral or even admiring way, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "inspire envy" and "be enviable"?

"Inspire envy" focuses on the action of causing the emotion in others, whereas "be enviable" describes the state of being worthy of envy. For example, "Her lifestyle "inspires envy"" versus "Her lifestyle is "enviable"".