spurs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spurs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to encouraging or motivating someone to take action or to provoke a response. Example: "The recent events spurs me to take a stand on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is an intensity to his play that Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino demands, and given that Hodgson made the switch in formation based on Liverpool's success – in particular that of Raheem Sterling and Sturridge – last season, Kane could be a better like-for-like substitute for Luis Suárez than Rooney has proven.

The Guardian - Sport

Spurs fans refer to themselves as 'Yiddos', you see. 15 min: From the left wing, Gareth Bale hoists a cross towards Jermain Defoe, but it's too high for the striker to connect with it.

The Guardian - Sport

Tip-bearers are less common and produce fruit at the tips of branches, rather than on short spurs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With Lazio having beaten Panthinaikos 3-0 in rome, Group J is as follows: Lazio on top with eight points, Spurs next with six points, Maribor in third with four points and Panthinaikos in fourth with two points.

The Guardian - Sport

The proposed signing is likely to clear the way for Gareth Bale to join Real Madrid, who have offered £85m for the Welsh winger, money Spurs already appear to be spending.

The Guardian - Sport

The fact that everyone is watching across the world spurs us on to keep going, helps us not be scared".

The Guardian

Cue a flood of headlines claiming: "Brain chemical lack spurs rioting, say scientists" and "Nose spray to stop drunks and brawls".

The Guardian

The England hopeful has scored in six of his last seven league outings, racking up nine goals in those matches and, given Spurs' propensity to win matches by a single goal – doing so on 10 occasions in the league this season – it's likely that the 21-year-old will have a big say on Tottenham's final standing.

The Guardian - Sport

QPR were beaten by Spurs in a replay, courtesy of a Glenn Hoddle penalty, yet Gregory never felt anything like as bad about that defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's very important that we are straight to the groups," said the Spurs manager.

The Guardian - Sport

The Everton goal was under pressure throughout the first half and there was little Howard could do to prevent Spurs taking a merited lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spurs" to indicate motivation or incitement, choosing alternatives like "motivates" or "encourages" for nuanced meanings.

Common error

Avoid using "spurs" without clarifying the context, as it can refer to sports teams, a verb meaning to incite, or the plural of spur (a tool). Provide sufficient context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spurs" is a plural noun, referring to more than one spur. It also functions as a third-person singular verb, meaning to incite or motivate. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it also can act as abbreviation for Tottenham Hotspur or San Antonio Spurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

General

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "spurs" presents diverse applications, ranging from its grammatical roles as a noun and verb to its function as an abbreviation for sports teams. Ludwig AI confirms the term's correct usage, particularly within news and media contexts related to sports. It is important to consider the intended context to ensure clarity, choosing alternative terms such as "motivates" or "encourages" when appropriate. The high frequency of "spurs" in reputable sources underscores its common and accepted usage, but awareness of its multiple meanings is key to effective communication. In short, "spurs" is a versatile word, but should be used with consideration for the audience and situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivates

Focuses on internal drive rather than external prompting.

encourages

Implies giving support or confidence.

drives

Suggests a strong force compelling action.

stimulates

Indicates inciting activity or development.

prompts

Highlights the action of initiating something.

incites

Suggests provoking or stirring up.

goads

Implies persistent urging or teasing.

inspires

Focuses on the act of filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

pushes

Represents the action of exerting force on someone or something to move them forward or in a certain direction.

galvanizes

Indicates shocking or exciting someone into taking action.

FAQs

What does "spurs" mean in football?

In football, "spurs" commonly refers to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, a professional team based in London.

How can I use "spurs" in a sentence to mean 'to encourage'?

You can say something like, "The positive feedback "spurs" him to work harder", meaning it motivates him.

What are some synonyms for "spurs" when used as a verb?

Synonyms include "motivates", "encourages", "stimulates", and "prompts", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to use "spurs" in a business context?

Yes, it can be used, for example, "The new sales strategy "spurs" growth", indicating it encourages or accelerates growth.