sprang up

USAGE SUMMARY

"sprang up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or unexpected development or occurrence. Example: "A burst of laughter sprang up from the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Discussions immediately sprang up.

The New York Times

Daniele sprang up.

The New Yorker

New competitors sprang up.

The New Yorker

Entire districts sprang up.

The Economist

Factories sprang up.

The New York Times

"Sprang up," not "sprung up".

The New York Times

A bohemian community sprang up.

The New York Times - Arts

Conspiracy theories sprang up.

The Guardian - Sport

Revolutionary committees sprang up.

The Guardian

Web sites sprang up.

The New York Times

Apartment houses sprang up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sprang up" to vividly describe the sudden emergence of something new, whether it's ideas, buildings, or problems.

Common error

Ensure you use "sprang up" (past tense of spring) correctly. "Sprung up" is the past participle, typically used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "had sprung up").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sprang up" is as an intransitive phrasal verb, indicating the sudden appearance or emergence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "sprang up" effectively conveys the sudden appearance or rapid development of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in encyclopedic and general writing. When using "sprang up", ensure the past tense is appropriate and avoid confusing it with its past participle form, "sprung up". Alternatives such as "arose suddenly" and "emerged rapidly" offer similar meanings, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sprouted up

Similar to "sprang up", but with a more organic connotation.

arose suddenly

Emphasizes the suddenness of the appearance.

emerged rapidly

Highlights the speed of the emergence.

appeared quickly

Focuses on the speed of appearance.

materialized swiftly

Suggests a quick and somewhat unexpected materialization.

shot up

Implies a rapid vertical growth or appearance.

blossomed forth

Suggests a flourishing and sudden development.

developed unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the development.

mushroomed

Implies a rapid increase in number or size, similar to mushrooms growing.

took off

Suggests a sudden increase in popularity or success, sometimes similar in meaning to "sprang up".

FAQs

What does "sprang up" mean?

"Sprang up" means to have appeared or arisen suddenly and quickly.

How can I use "sprang up" in a sentence?

You can use "sprang up" to describe the sudden appearance of something, like "New businesses "sprang up" after the new law was passed."

What are some alternatives to "sprang up"?

Some alternatives to "sprang up" include "arose suddenly", "emerged rapidly", or "appeared quickly".

Is it correct to say "sprung up" instead of "sprang up"?

While "sprung" is a form of the verb "spring", "sprang" is the simple past tense. Use "sprang up" for past events, and "sprung up" with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "had sprung up").