inspiring

USAGE SUMMARY

"inspiring" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that evokes feelings of enthusiasm, motivation, and admiration. For example, "My parents' perseverance and hard work have always been incredibly inspiring to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of the new intake on the Labour benches is very inspiring.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

St George's Market in the city centre showcases the quality artisan produce – such as Hannan's beef dry-aged in the world's largest Himalayan salt chamber – that's been inspiring chefs such as Ox's Stephen Toman, who has been exciting British and Irish critics with dishes such as Skeaghanore duck, parsley root, chestnut, coffee and chicory, built on local provenance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's all about inspiring people to cook fish: as Van Olphsen says, "It's very easy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We have some gorgeous new designs being cast which include inspiring quotes engraved to pieces that we've handmade using silver.

The Guardian

Sainsbury's partnership with British Athletics reflects its wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury's School Games.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a teacher and trade union member at Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Westminster Kingsway colleges in London, she displayed a remarkable talent for inspiring students and younger teachers.

The Guardian

To the end, her determination was inspiring, and a little worrying.

The Guardian - Arts

Despite this, the result was a flawless, inspiring, unrhetorical but still powerful case for his party and mine.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Igs spawned an accompanying journal, the Annals of Improbable Research, in turn no doubt inspiring the Journal of Universal Rejection, which rejects every submission received, and the recently launched Proceedings of the Natural Institute of Science, whose acronym (PNIS) speaks for itself.

The Guardian

Alongside her writings and poetry, she had a knack for a prescient and inspiring quote: "Sometimes we are blessed with being able to choose the time and the arena, and the manner of our revolutions, but more usually we must do battle where we are standing".

The Guardian

We first meet Tyrannosaurus and Diplodocus as children, their bones inspiring dreams, nightmares, and some of our earliest connections to science.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inspiring" to describe something that genuinely evokes a sense of motivation or admiration. Avoid using it as a generic positive descriptor.

Common error

Avoid using "inspiring" in predictable or overused phrases. Instead of saying "an inspiring story", try to specify what makes the story inspiring, such as "a story of resilience and determination".

Linguistic Context

The word "inspiring" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something that has the quality of providing inspiration. It can also function as a present participle of the verb 'inspire'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and widely usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Lifestyle

12%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "inspiring" is an adjective or present participle used to describe something that evokes motivation and admiration. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and commonly used term. It appears most frequently in news and media, lifestyle, and sport contexts. While grammatically correct, it is important to use "inspiring" thoughtfully, avoiding overuse and clichés by specifying the inspiring qualities. Consider alternatives like "motivational" or "uplifting" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivational

Focuses more specifically on providing a motive or reason to act.

uplifting

Emphasizes the positive and cheerful effect on one's spirits.

encouraging

Highlights the act of giving someone confidence or support.

stimulating

Suggests the action of arousing interest or enthusiasm.

invigorating

Implies a refreshing and energizing effect.

thought-provoking

Centers on stimulating intellectual curiosity and reflection.

stirring

Conveys a sense of excitement and strong emotion.

exhilarating

Stresses a feeling of extreme happiness and excitement.

awing

Focuses on inspiring a feeling of reverence or wonder.

heartening

Highlights the action of making someone feel more cheerful or optimistic.

FAQs

How can I use "inspiring" in a sentence?

You can use "inspiring" to describe people, events, or things that evoke a sense of motivation and admiration. For example, "Her speech was truly inspiring" or "The mountains provided an inspiring view".

What are some synonyms for "inspiring"?

Alternatives to "inspiring" include "motivational", "uplifting", or "encouraging" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "inspiring" an adjective or a verb?

"Inspiring" can function as both an adjective and a verb. As an adjective, it describes something that provides inspiration. As a verb, it is the present participle of "inspire".

What makes something "inspiring"?

Something is "inspiring" when it evokes feelings of enthusiasm, motivation, and admiration. It often involves qualities like resilience, determination, or vision.