spur the development of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spur the development of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing initiatives, policies, or actions that encourage or accelerate growth or progress in a particular area. For example, "The new policy aims to spur the development of renewable energy technologies." Alternative expressions include "promote the growth of" and "encourage the advancement of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

As lesions grow, they can spur the development of new nerves or burrow against existing ones, causing further misery.

The New Yorker

Part of Bhupathi's stated purpose in creating the I.P.T.L. has been to spur the development of tennis in new geographies.

The New Yorker

Putting a price on carbon would eventually spur the development of cleaner fuels, and persuade Americans to switch to them.

The Economist

They also spur the development of an army of lawyers who will go out and find such citizens.

The New York Times

For instance, he introduced a bill in 2005 to limit heat-trapping gases that sought to spur the development of green technologies.

The New York Times

[C4.] The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold hearings on a bill intended to spur the development of digital television.

The New York Times

The provision was originally meant to spur the development of alternative fuels, but has instead become an example of the law of unintended consequences.

The New York Times

But they also help make investments in renewable fuels competitive and spur the development of costly sources of oil, like deepwater reserves.

The New York Times

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold hearings today on a bill intended to spur the development of digital television.

The New York Times

For instance, the government says it wants to spur the development of consumer credit, for which there will be a great appetite.

The Economist

The financial industry and policy analysts had long advocated the move, saying it would spur the development of pension funds in the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spur the development of", consider specifying the mechanisms or actions that will bring about the desired development for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "spur the development of" without a clear indication of what specific actions or policies are intended to achieve the desired result. A vague application weakens the impact of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spur the development of" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action taken to encourage or accelerate the growth, progress, or advancement of something. Ludwig AI examples show a focus on causing development, not just influencing it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spur the development of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the act of encouraging or accelerating progress. Ludwig AI analysis, based on numerous examples, reveals that this phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional register. While versatile, clarity is enhanced by specifying the mechanisms intended to bring about the development. Alternatives like "foster the advancement of" or "encourage the growth of" offer nuanced variations, but "spur the development of" remains a direct and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accelerate the growth of

Emphasizes speeding up the process of growth rather than initiating it.

Encourage the progress of

Stresses giving support or confidence to move forward.

Foster the advancement of

Highlights creating a nurturing environment for something to move forward.

Facilitate the evolution of

Highlights making the natural progression of something easier.

Promote the expansion of

Focuses on increasing the scope or size of something.

Stimulate the creation of

Focuses on prompting the beginning of something new.

Catalyze the innovation of

Implies initiating or accelerating innovative processes.

Incentivize the advancement of

Highlights using rewards or benefits to encourage progress.

Propel the expansion of

Suggests a forceful movement towards greater scope or size.

Drive the growth of

Emphasizes a strong force pushing something to grow.

FAQs

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

You can use "spur the development of" to describe actions or policies that encourage growth or progress in a particular area. For instance: "The government introduced incentives to "spur the development of" renewable energy technologies."

What are some alternatives to "spur the development of"?

Alternatives include "encourage the growth of", "promote the expansion of", or "foster the advancement of", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the type and intensity of the encouragement.

Is "spur the development of" formal or informal?

"Spur the development of" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. Its formality depends on the overall tone and subject matter of the writing.

What's the difference between "spur the development of" and "motivate the development of"?

"Spur the development of" implies a more direct action to initiate or accelerate growth, while "motivate the development of" suggests creating an environment where others are inspired or encouraged to drive that growth themselves.