spur on

USAGE SUMMARY

'spur on' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used as an idiom meaning "to encourage or motivate someone to do something". Example: The coach's words of encouragement spurred his team on to victory.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This is certainly one way to spur on that activity.

The New York Times

Unions also spur on non-members.

The Economist

Competition will spur on Andrew Marr in any case.

The Guardian

The school hopes Itasca will spur on a virtuous cycle.

The New York Times

Mr. Gates and other polio campaigners have used India's successes to spur on Pakistan.

The New York Times

"I thought it might spur on your Soho crime story," he says.

The New Yorker

By demonstrating demand for action, this will spur on more action by more investors.

The Guardian

But it was the hecklers who seemed to spur on García.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I guess that's a bit of a spur-on as well".

Independent

"And it is a spur-on.

BBC

DT and PSM were supported by SPUR-ON Summer studentships funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spur on" when you want to convey the idea of encouraging or motivating someone towards a specific action or goal. It often implies a boost of energy or enthusiasm.

Common error

Avoid using "spur on" when a gentle encouragement is needed. This phrase suggests a more vigorous and active form of motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "spur on" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It indicates the action of encouraging or motivating someone or something to proceed or improve. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a common idiom.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spur on" is a phrasal verb that functions to encourage or motivate. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. Analysis of its use across various sources indicates that it commonly appears in news and media, science, and general writing. While it is generally acceptable, more precise language may be favored in formal or academic settings. Remember to use "spur on" when you want to communicate a boost of energy or enthusiasm, and avoid it where a gentle encouragement is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage

Broader term; can be used in various situations where providing support is needed.

motivate

Focuses on providing an incentive or reason to act.

incentivize

Highlights the use of rewards or benefits to stimulate action.

stimulate

Refers to activating or exciting someone into action.

propel

Emphasizes a strong, forward-moving force.

galvanize

Implies shocking or exciting someone into sudden action.

incite

Suggests stirring up strong feelings that drive action, sometimes negative.

push

More direct and forceful in urging someone forward.

urge

Implies a strong request or plea to take action.

prompt

Suggests causing or triggering an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "spur on" to indicate encouraging someone to do something. For example, "The coach's pep talk "spurred on" the team to play harder".

What's a more formal alternative to "spur on"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "incentivize" or "motivate" instead of "spur on".

Is "spur on" appropriate for academic writing?

While "spur on" is acceptable, academic writing might benefit from more precise terms like "facilitate", "promote", or "stimulate" depending on the intended meaning.

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

"Encourage" is a broader term for giving support or confidence. "Spur on" implies a more active and energetic push to achieve something, suggesting a boost of enthusiasm or momentum.