moved to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

"moved to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe feeling compelled or inspired to do something. For example, "Seeing the plight of the refugees moved him to act and get involved in the relief efforts".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Perhaps if they were inconvenienced by the strike, they might be moved to do something.

The New Yorker

When Uxbal learns he is dying, he is moved to do something good.

The Guardian - Travel

But unlike Australians, Canadians who were moved to do something actually could.

The Guardian - Opinion

She was hopeful that officials would finally be moved to do something.

The Guardian

"The excitement over 'Les Noces' was rising to such a pitch that we felt moved to do something to celebrate the première," Murphy says.

The New Yorker

Now and then, he was moved to do something of surprising loveliness, such as the golden blur of a nude Ema descending a staircase.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"We have to move to do something about our dependence on foreign oil.

The New York Times

"It's just tragic really to see the blast furnace standing over the town as a sort of sorry symbol of loss and decline and the sooner we can move to do something on that site to bring jobs and investment and hope the better.

The Guardian - Business

Soon, I will pick myself up, dust myself off, and get moving to do something about my anxiety, remembering success is the best revenge.

Huffington Post

If you see everyone else moving to do something and you didn't hear what you're supposed to be doing, just follow everyone else's lead.

WikiHow

And by the early 1980s, there was a very controversial move to do something about it.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moved to do something" to convey a sense of emotional or moral impetus behind an action, rather than simply stating a decision or intention. For example, use it to describe the emotional influence that a strong motivation had on someone to act.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "moved to do something" in extremely formal or technical writing. Opt for more direct and concise phrasing like "decided to act" or "took action" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moved to do something" functions as an infinitive phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier, explaining the motivation or reason behind an action. It indicates that someone was emotionally or morally compelled to act. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moved to do something" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone was inspired or emotionally compelled to take action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in a variety of contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required; in highly technical or business settings, more direct phrasing may be preferable. Remember that using this phrase focuses on the emotion of the sentence, describing strong and effective causes. Alternatives like "inspired to act" or "compelled to act" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspired to act

Focuses specifically on the feeling of inspiration as the catalyst for action.

compelled to act

Emphasizes a sense of obligation or necessity driving the action.

motivated to take action

Highlights the presence of a clear reason or incentive for acting.

driven to act

Suggests a strong, almost uncontrollable urge to do something.

prompted to respond

Implies a reaction to a specific stimulus or event.

encouraged to participate

Suggests external influence or support leading to involvement.

felt the urge to act

Focuses on the internal sensation of wanting to do something.

decided to intervene

Emphasizes a conscious choice to become involved in a situation.

felt compelled to get involved

Similar to "compelled to act", but with a focus on joining an existing effort.

took it upon oneself to act

Highlights personal initiative and responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "moved to do something" in a sentence?

You can use "moved to do something" to describe being inspired or emotionally compelled to act. For example, "Seeing the devastation "moved her to donate" to the relief fund".

What are some alternatives to "moved to do something"?

Some alternatives include "inspired to act", "compelled to act", or "motivated to take action". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "moved to do something" or "decided to do something"?

"Moved to do something" implies an emotional impetus, while "decided to do something" suggests a more rational decision. Use "moved to do something" when you want to emphasize the emotional or moral reasons behind an action.

Can "moved to do something" be used in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "moved to do something" might be too informal for certain highly formal or technical contexts. In those cases, consider alternatives like "resolved to act" or "undertook to do something".