spur development

USAGE SUMMARY

"spur development" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to encouraging or stimulating progress, advancement, productivity, or innovation. For example: "The government's increased investment in infrastructure spurred development in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If arenas spur development, there should be nothing around the arena left to develop.

Huffington Post

The new subway line and zoning changes would spur development.

The New York Times

Papandreou also announced policies that will spur development and competitiveness in the crisis-hit nation.

The Guardian - Business

Seeding Progress New York City has frequently used money to spur development.

The New York Times

State planners predict it also will spur development in older suburbs, particularly in Prince George's.

The Washington Post

City efforts to spur development on the West Side have been extensive.

The New York Times

It will raise property values, but it will spur development," she said.

The Washington Post

It also funded researchers working to spur development of independent driverless safety tests.

The Washington Post

The projects are often designed to spur development as much as to move people.

The Washington Post

"We need to look at ways to spur development of this market".

The New York Times - Health

If it's approved, it will spur development the likes of which have never been seen in Sullivan County before".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spur development", clearly identify the specific actions or policies that are intended to create the desired developmental outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "spur development" without clearly linking it to a specific cause or initiative. For example, instead of saying "This project will spur development", specify "This infrastructure project will spur economic development by improving access to markets".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spur development" functions as a verb phrase where "spur" acts as a transitive verb, meaning to stimulate or encourage something, and "development" serves as the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spur development" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe actions intended to stimulate progress, as supported by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, business, and science, with a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. When employing this phrase, it is important to clearly link it to specific initiatives for clarity. Alternatives like "boost development" or "foster development" offer nuanced variations for different contexts. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boost development

Replaces "spur" with "boost", indicating a more general form of encouragement.

foster development

Uses "foster" instead of "spur", suggesting nurturing and cultivation of development.

stimulate development

Substitutes "spur" with "stimulate", implying an activation or arousal of development.

accelerate development

Replaces "spur" with "accelerate", focusing on the speed of the development process.

promote development

Uses "promote" to indicate advocating for and supporting development.

drive development

Substitutes "spur" with "drive", suggesting a strong force pushing development forward.

catalyze development

Replaces "spur" with "catalyze", implying the initiation of a chemical reaction that results in development.

encourage development

Uses "encourage" as a more gentle way to express support for development.

facilitate development

Suggests making development easier and more accessible.

propel development

Implies a forceful push or thrust that moves development forward.

FAQs

How can I use "spur development" in a sentence?

You can use "spur development" to describe actions or initiatives that encourage or accelerate progress. For example: "The new policy is designed to "spur development" in rural areas." or "Investment in education can "spur development" and create new opportunities".

What are some alternatives to "spur development"?

Alternatives to "spur development" include "boost development", "foster development", or "stimulate development". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "spur development" or "encourage development"?

"Spur development" implies a more immediate and forceful effect, while "encourage development" suggests a gentler, more gradual approach. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended impact of the action or policy being described.

Can "spur development" be used in any context?

While "spur development" is generally applicable, consider the formality of the situation. In highly formal or academic writing, a more nuanced phrase like "facilitate development" or "promote development" might be more appropriate.