once inspired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once inspired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time in the past when someone or something was motivated or influenced by inspiration. Example: "She was once inspired by the beauty of nature, which led her to become an artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The general now pines for the admiration he once inspired.

The Guardian

And almost by definition, top international sport feeds on nationalism, channeling passions that once inspired wars.

The New York Times

Where his uppity energy once inspired the country's voters, today it seems merely to annoy.

The Economist

His calls for democracy once inspired so many in and outside of China.

The New York Times

Mr Aristide, a leftist former priest, once inspired much hope in a country with a long history of misrule.

The Economist

The audience of web entrepreneurs, many of them once inspired by Mr Yang's example, let the matter drop.

The Economist

Those ideas might lie behind hyper-realistic fiction (and the controversies once inspired by, say, Judy Blume).

The New York Times - Books

And then there is Mr. Mugabe, who once inspired and sheltered black freedom fighters across the region.

The New York Times

Where Britain once inspired the development of disability rights across the EU, over time it has become more a follower.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, in aligning himself with family and clan, he was destroying the hopes of peaceful reform he had once inspired.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This honorific form of address, it is said, once inspired an urge to salute in Americans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once inspired" to effectively convey a sense of past influence or motivation that is no longer present. For example, use this construction if you wish to contrast past enthusiasm with a current state of apathy or disillusionment.

Common error

Avoid using "once inspired" when referring to an ongoing source of inspiration. Instead, use phrases like "still inspires" or "continues to inspire" to accurately reflect the continuous influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once inspired" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate a past state of inspiration. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment and examples provided, indicating a prior influence that is no longer active.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once inspired" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to denote a past state of motivation or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights a contrast between a prior period of inspiration and the current situation. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize change or shift, signaling that the initial source of inspiration is no longer effective. Therefore, consider the specific timeframe and context to ensure its appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously motivated

Emphasizes prior motivation rather than the act of inspiring.

formerly influenced

Focuses on past influence, suggesting a change in current influence.

used to inspire

Highlights a habitual action of inspiring in the past.

at one time ignited

Conveys a sense of initial enthusiasm or passion.

in the past motivated

Directly states past motivation, suitable for clarity.

had inspired previously

More formal and emphasizes completion of the action.

had earlier motivated

Emphasizes an earlier point in time when motivation occurred.

initially sparked

Focuses on the beginning of the inspirational process.

once stimulated

Implies intellectual or creative invigoration in the past.

at first encouraged

Emphasizes initial encouragement as a form of inspiration.

FAQs

How can I use "once inspired" in a sentence?

You can use "once inspired" to describe something or someone that motivated or influenced in the past but no longer does. For example, "He was "once inspired" by nature, but now his art reflects urban decay."

What phrases are similar to "once inspired"?

Alternatives include "previously motivated", "formerly influenced", or "used to inspire", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "once inspiring" instead of "once inspired"?

While "once inspiring" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning. "Once inspired" indicates a completed action of inspiring, whereas "once inspiring" suggests that something used to be inspiring but is no longer.

What's the difference between "once inspired" and "still inspired"?

"Once inspired" describes a past state of being influenced or motivated, while "still inspired" indicates that the influence or motivation continues to the present. The choice depends on whether the inspiration is ongoing or has ceased.