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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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spur to try

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spur to try" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey motivation or encouragement to attempt something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The coach's words served as a spur to try harder during the final match."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In many cases, redundancy or a period of unemployment gives people the spur to try a voluntary job.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

John Allen Riggins, the Little Rock senior who initiated his school's application, said he was spurred to try to bring the sapling over because "we don't often see the immediate impact that young people have on social issues".

News & Media

The New York Times

After coming across an image online of every airplane that took off in a single day from a German airport (Flughaven by Ho-yeol Ryu, seen below) Kuckenbaker was spurred to try the same technique--only this time with film.��.

News & Media

Vice

Milan will be forced to throw everything at Spurs to try to retrieve the deficit.

News & Media

Independent

The idea behind Horizon was that a successful private experiment would spur lawmakers to try a public version.

News & Media

The Economist

Genentech suggested that it started the Lucentis rebate program now to spur doctors to try the drug to treat retinal vein occlusion.

News & Media

The New York Times

That may spur him to try to ensure a global climate agreement is part of his legacy.

News & Media

The Guardian

And plant lust spurred me to try again.

News & Media

The New York Times

The child-archer craze is also spurring adults to try the sport.

News & Media

The New York Times

The hope, now, is that he may be spurred on to try ramming through other big reforms on pensions, for example.

News & Media

The Economist

But summer spikes in gas prices, reaching beyond $4 a gallon, spurred them to try a new kind of trip this year.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "spur to try", opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "incentive to attempt" or "motivation to try" to ensure effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "spur to try" when simpler and more direct options are available. Overly complex phrasing can confuse your audience and diminish the impact of your message.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spur to try" functions as a purpose connector, aiming to link an action or event with the intention of prompting an attempt. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and suggests clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spur to try" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI and is rarely used in standard written English. While it aims to convey a purpose or motivation for attempting something, it's better to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "incentive to attempt" or "motivation to try". The few examples of its use come from news and media sources, but this does not validate its grammatical correctness. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more established alternatives.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "spur to try"?

You can use alternatives like "incentive to attempt", "motivation to try", or "encourage to undertake depending on the context.

Is "spur to try" grammatically correct?

No, "spur to try" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It is better to use phrases like "spur someone on" or "motivate someone to try".

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

Use "spur" as a verb to mean 'to encourage' or 'to prompt'. For example, "The coach's pep talk "spurred the team to victory"".

What does "spur" mean in the context of motivation?

In the context of motivation, "spur" means to give an impulse or encouragement to someone to do something. It suggests a sudden burst of energy or enthusiasm.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: