spur dialogue

USAGE SUMMARY

"spur dialogue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to prompt or encourage a conversation or discussion. Example: The controversial article sparked a lot of debate and ultimately spurred dialogue among the members of the community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Experts say setting and announcing sustainability goals holds companies accountable, and can spur dialogue and innovation.

The Guardian

Aptly titled "Audacious Agency," the touring exhibition features an eclectic mix of unique pieces intended to spur dialogue about the urgent social, economic, political, and religious issues facing communities of color.

Yale University

EITI is not a silver bullet, but has prompted a sea change in extractive transparency and will continue to spur dialogue leading to change.

Forbes

The 14-month program is called "Foreclosed: Rehousing the American Dream," and is an effort to rethink America's suburbs in the wake of the foreclosure crisis -- and spur dialogue and debate around the subject.

Huffington Post

Perhaps the relationship between the men can inspire a new generation of activists and spur dialogue on meaningful social change at a time when lasting, nuanced coalitions are hard to find.

Huffington Post

That's why we endeavor to create meaningful platforms of cross-cultural engagement and collaboration that spur dialogue, innovation, and long-lasting friendship.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Moreover, it spurs dialogue and change.

Huffington Post

The exercise produced strategic information to prioritize resources based on largest impact and spurred dialogue on identifying alternative funding sources in advance of transition.

Global health, science and practice

We hope to spur a dialogue on issues of national or international importance.

The New York Times

Our hope is to spur a dialogue on issues of national or international importance.

The New York Times

The officers hope to spur a dialogue, in Washington and in the military, about changing the policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spur dialogue" when you want to emphasize actively encouraging or initiating a conversation, especially on a specific topic or towards a particular goal. It suggests a proactive approach to generating discussion.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "spur dialogue" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "get the conversation going" or "start a discussion" for everyday interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spur dialogue" functions as a verb phrase, where "spur" acts as a transitive verb meaning to stimulate or prompt, and "dialogue" serves as the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase, and can be seen in examples where it indicates the act of initiating or promoting conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spur dialogue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that means to prompt or encourage a conversation or discussion. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. It is generally used in neutral to professional settings and carries a sense of actively initiating discussion. Related phrases include "encourage discussion" and "promote conversation". When using "spur dialogue", it's best to consider the formality of the setting, opting for more casual alternatives in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prompt a discussion

This alternative is very close in meaning, simply using "prompt" instead of "spur".

Stimulate conversation

This alternative is very similar in meaning but uses a different verb.

Encourage discussion

This alternative is more general and less forceful than "spur dialogue".

Generate conversation

This alternative is less forceful and emphasizes the creation of dialogue.

Promote conversation

This alternative focuses on fostering conversation rather than initiating it.

Incite discussion

This alternative implies a more active and possibly controversial initiation of discussion.

Trigger discussion

This alternative suggests that something has happened that prompted a discussion.

Instigate debate

This alternative suggests a more contentious and formal discussion.

Catalyze a conversation

This alternative implies speeding up or facilitating a conversation.

Foster communication

This alternative emphasizes the development of communication channels.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "spur dialogue" in a sentence?

Use "spur dialogue" when you aim to convey the idea of actively initiating or encouraging a conversation, especially on a specific topic. For example, "The report aimed to "spur dialogue" on climate change."

What are some alternatives to "spur dialogue"?

Alternatives include "encourage discussion", "promote conversation", or "stimulate conversation" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "spur dialogue" formal or informal?

"Spur dialogue" leans towards the formal side. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "start a conversation" or "get people talking".

What's the difference between "spur dialogue" and "encourage dialogue"?

"Spur dialogue" suggests a more active initiation of the conversation, whereas "encourage dialogue" implies a more supportive role in fostering an existing or emerging discussion.