move people

USAGE SUMMARY

"move people" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but generally refers to causing a strong emotional or psychological response in others. Example: The motivational speaker's powerful words were able to move people to tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To move people.

The Guardian - Music

We don't move people".

The New York Times

You move people.

The Guardian - Music

"Movies don't move people to revolution.

The New York Times - Arts

"You move people around like this".

The New York Times

And we move people ahead.

The Washington Post

"But it might move people.

The New York Times

"What can we do, move people out?

The New York Times

It was chaos, I couldn't move, people were panicking".

Independent

Yes, it can and does move people to concern.

The New York Times

Maybe photos could move people to take action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move people" when you want to convey the idea of eliciting a strong emotional or psychological response. Consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended impact, whether it's inspiring action, evoking sympathy, or changing perspectives.

Common error

While "move people" is a versatile phrase, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "influence", "persuade", or "motivate" to convey your intended meaning with greater clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move people" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "move" acts as a transitive verb taking "people" as its direct object. This construction describes the act of influencing or affecting individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "move people" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of influencing or affecting individuals, whether emotionally, physically or ideologically. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and formal settings, indicating its broad applicability. When aiming for more precise language in formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "influence", "persuade", or "motivate". As shown by Ludwig, the phrase’s effectiveness lies in its ability to convey the power of eliciting a response or change in others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affect emotionally

This alternative narrows the focus to the emotional impact on individuals, emphasizing the psychological or sentimental effect.

influence individuals

This alternative emphasizes the act of having an effect on someone's character, development, or behavior through persuasion or example, implying a broader and often more subtle impact than simply "moving" them.

sway opinions

Focuses specifically on changing beliefs or judgments, rather than simply eliciting an emotional response or physical action.

motivate others

Highlights the act of providing someone with a reason to act in a certain way, or inspiring them to achieve a goal.

inspire action

This phrase denotes the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

touch hearts

This focuses specifically on evoking feelings of love, sympathy, or gratitude.

shift perceptions

This conveys altering the way people understand or interpret something.

galvanize support

Implies stimulating action or enthusiasm, often for a cause or movement.

provoke a reaction

This suggests causing a response, often strong or unexpected, from individuals.

stimulate change

This alternative means to encourage or arouse activity or development in someone or something, focusing on the initiation of transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "move people" in a sentence?

You can use "move people" to describe the act of inspiring, influencing or emotionally affecting others. For example, "The speaker's passionate words aimed to move people to take action against climate change".

What can I say instead of "move people"?

You can use alternatives like "influence individuals", "sway opinions", or "inspire action", depending on the context.

Is "move people" formal or informal?

"Move people" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for various contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, more precise alternatives such as "persuade" or "motivate" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "move people" and "manipulate people"?

"Move people" generally implies a positive or neutral influence, inspiring or emotionally affecting others. "Manipulate people", on the other hand, suggests controlling or influencing others in a deceptive or self-serving way. The key difference lies in the intention and ethical implications.