less spurred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less spurred" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts discussing motivation or encouragement, suggesting a reduced level of stimulation or provocation. Example: "The team's performance was less spurred by external factors this time, relying more on their internal drive."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But in 1960, the Americans were never the less spurred into a great effort to catch up.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Probably because it becomes more predictable and less spur-of-the-moment).

Huffington Post

You cannot read "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" or "The Catbird Seat" without wondering why he returned so persistently to the theme of how weak-willed men are steamrollered into acquiescence (or, less often, spurred to revenge) by the incessant nagging of strong-willed women.

The New York Times - Books

Reading Peck's Road Less Traveled spurred my awakening.

Huffington Post

By establishing these recommendations as standards of care, the societies reduce the risk that doing less may spur malpractice suits, which currently prompt many doctors to overtest and overtreat — so-called defensive medicine.

The New York Times

Now older and with less angst spurring their work, these New York natives reunite for the "Heart of the City" tour, which has them sharing a stage and a 22-piece band.

The New York Times - Arts

If the renminbi were to appreciate, the argument goes, the Chinese would consume more and produce less, thereby spurring global recovery.

Huffington Post

But the real foundation of the home video game came from another sort of arcade game whose images spurred less angst and spurted less blood, games like Pac-Man or Donkey Kong, with their pleasing blurps, amusing images and teasing difficulties.

The New York Times - Arts

The same goes, he said, for the Ginobili-less Spurs, who have home-court advantage against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

The New York Times

The star-less Spurs held their own against the best team in basketball, even clinging onto a lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Guardian - Sport

An important implication is that we could be facing another wave of foreclosures, spurred less by spells of unemployment and more by strategic thinking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less spurred", ensure the context clearly defines what is providing the initial stimulus. For example, "The project was less spurred by budget concerns and more by genuine interest."

Common error

Avoid using "less spurred" when the source of the original impetus is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion and weaken the sentence's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less spurred" functions as a modifier, indicating a reduced degree of incitement or motivation. This describes a state where the intensity of the prompting force has diminished. As Ludwig AI suggests, consider alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less spurred" implies a reduced level of instigation or motivation. While grammatically sound, its uncommon usage compared to alternatives like "less motivated" or "less encouraged" makes it crucial to consider context and clarity. Ludwig AI suggests, based on the single exact example and further similar examples, that ensuring the instigator is clear is paramount for effective communication. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, often describing shifts in driving forces behind actions or events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less motivated

Focuses on a reduced desire or willingness to act, shifting from external impetus to internal drive.

less encouraged

Emphasizes a decrease in positive reinforcement or support, rather than a general stimulus.

less stimulated

Highlights a reduction in excitement or activity, suitable for contexts needing a broader term.

less incited

Indicates a decrease in the act of provoking or urging someone to act, often in a negative or forceful context.

less prompted

Suggests a diminished cue or reminder to do something, altering the sense of initiation.

less driven

Shifts the focus to reduced internal pressure or ambition, instead of an external cause.

less impelled

Implies a weaker feeling of being forced or urged to do something, changing the sense of obligation.

less goaded

Highlights the reduction in the act of provoking someone into action, frequently in a competitive scenario.

less pushed

Conveys a reduced feeling of being pressured or forced to act, impacting the perception of external influence.

less ignited

Indicates a reduction in the triggering of enthusiasm or passion, modifying the emotional impact.

FAQs

How can I use "less spurred" in a sentence?

Use "less spurred" to indicate a reduced level of motivation or incitement. For example, "The team's success was "less spurred" by external rewards and more by internal satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "less spurred"?

Alternatives include "less motivated", "less encouraged", or "less stimulated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less spurred" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less spurred" is grammatically correct, but it is not as commonly used as alternatives like "less motivated" or "less encouraged". Its uncommon usage can make it sound slightly awkward or formal in certain contexts.

Which is more common, "less spurred" or "less motivated"?

"Less motivated" is significantly more common than "less spurred". It generally provides a clearer and more direct expression of reduced motivation.