instilling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "instilling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to fill someone with an idea, attitude, or emotion, especially over a period of time. For example: "Through her speeches, she was able to instill a sense of purpose among the people of her community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After two defeats in two against the hosts so far, a win in Perth would go a long way to instilling belief into the team before their World Cup opener against the same opponents in Melbourne on Valentine's Day.

The Guardian - Sport

By working with schools to get students excited about indigenous plants, cooking, and preserving foods, Project Disc is instilling a positive perception of farming and lifelong knowledge about nutrition.

The Guardian

There is a way of instilling confidence in people.

The Guardian - Sport

Instilling a sense of national pride in the Russian people has far-reaching implications for Eurasia, as domestic self-confidence and international respect have always contributed to Russia's willingness to cooperate in solving diplomatic crises.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a statement, prosecutors said the defendants aimed "to weaken the state's status, harming the national interest of the country, disturbing public security, instilling fear among the people, causing damage to the public interest, and possession of communication, filming, broadcast, video transmission without permit from the concerned authorities".

The Guardian

One American executive at the firm praises Mr Yang for instilling a bottom-up "performance culture", instead of the traditional Chinese corporate game of "waiting to see what the emperor wants".Still, the firm has some way to go.

The Economist

She blamed her mother, Mahenaz, for instilling "mad ideas at a young age" and supporting her ever after.

The Economist

She speculates that the reason for this is that feeling morally unclean (ie, disgusted) leads to feelings of moral wrongness and thus triggers increased ethical behaviour by instilling a desire to right the wrong.

The Economist

WHEN Jorge Urosa, the archbishop of Caracas, said recently that Hugo Chávez was installing a "Marxist-communist" regime in Venezuela, the country's leftist president called him a "troglodyte" and accused him of "instilling fear in the people".

The Economist

For others, activity in those brain areas has been subdued by some awful experiences in childhood.The author champions his own parents for instilling in him what he calls an "internal pot of gold"—a measure of self-reliance and self-confidence which he thinks is vital for developing empathy.

The Economist

Now, it appears, Mr Leung is trying to revive the notion of instilling patriotism.Mr Leung said the coming year would be a "crucial" one for Hong Kong's constitutional development.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instilling", ensure that the subject is capable of receiving the instilled quality or value over time. For instance, you can "instill confidence" in a team but not in a rock.

Common error

Avoid attributing the source of the instilled quality to the recipient. Instead of saying 'The students instilled discipline in the teacher', say 'The teacher instilled discipline in the students'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "instilling" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a verbal noun. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instilling" is a grammatically sound verb form used to describe the gradual introduction of a quality or value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It is commonly found in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, denoting a deliberate effort to impart something over time. When writing, ensure that the subject can genuinely receive the instilled quality and avoid misattributing the source. Consider alternatives like "fostering" or "cultivating" for nuanced meaning. Remember that while “instilling” is suitable for various contexts, it tends to lean towards more formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering

Focuses on nurturing gradual development instead of immediate implantation.

cultivating

Emphasizes careful and sustained development, particularly of desirable qualities.

imparting

Highlights the act of giving or bestowing knowledge or a quality.

inculcating

Suggests persistent teaching to fix an idea or habit in the mind.

inspiring

Focuses on motivating or influencing someone to feel or do something.

establishing

Highlights the creation or setting up of something in a firm or stable way.

generating

Focuses on creating or producing something.

developing

Implies a gradual process of growth and advancement.

infusing

Highlights the introduction of a quality or element into something else.

implanting

Emphasizes the deliberate act of placing something firmly in something else.

FAQs

How can I use "instilling" in a sentence?

You can use "instilling" to describe the process of gradually introducing a quality, value, or belief. For example, "The coach focused on instilling a sense of teamwork among the players."

What are some alternatives to the word "instilling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fostering", "cultivating", or "imparting". Each carries slightly different nuances.

Is "instilling" formal or informal?

"Instilling" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in formal writing and speech. It is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of settings.

What is the difference between "instilling" and "inspiring"?

"Instilling" refers to gradually imparting a quality or value, while "inspiring" means to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, it's more focused on motivation.