stimulating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stimulating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that provokes interest, excitement, or enthusiasm, often in an intellectual or emotional context. Example: "The lecture on quantum physics was incredibly stimulating, leaving the audience eager to learn more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Working with the BBC should be involving, stimulating, rewarding, not bewildering, frightening or bureaucratic.

The Guardian

Free of the EU, Britain would be better positioned to realign its trade patterns towards fast-growing economies, thus stimulating economic growth, than it is now.

The Guardian - Opinion

These set out clearly the main behavioural and social norms for the site, but in general we want this to continue to be a safe place for stimulating discussion about issues and we welcome community participation which supports and extends this.

The Guardian

With 500 million users, that game is stimulating something in the human mind.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite the grim prognosis, O'Neill said there is hope if international consensus is reached and through advances in diagnostics, stimulating the development of new AMR drugs and alternative therapies such as vaccines – interventions which will be explored in greater detail by the review in future papers.

The Guardian

Open Mon-Fri 1pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-6pm (times often vary by exhibition) Opened in 2003, this east-side gallery maintains an "anything goes" attitude, encouraging site-specific work and stimulating the artists to incorporate the full scope of the space's whitewashed walls into their work.

The Guardian - Travel

In an era of fiscal austerity, monetary policy and low interest rates have to do the heavy lifting of stimulating the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am convinced that this ignorance was, at least partly, wilful: to arrive in a strange environment and be presented with a complete stranger without any preconceptions on her part must have been wonderfully liberating and creatively stimulating.

The Guardian - Arts

And, of course, we need to think about some major innovations, particularly in stimulating the supply of and the demand for major investment resources.

The Guardian

Pleasure is widely viewed as an essential component of happiness: food excites the reward system, stimulating dopamine to ignite desire and anticipation, and then when we eat, opiates and cannabinoids are released – basically, drugs made by our own brains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Guardian Cities website's opening discussions on the best innovations and biggest issues in this age of urgent urbanisation, have been stimulating.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stimulating" to describe experiences, discussions, or environments that actively engage the mind and senses, leading to increased interest and activity.

Common error

Avoid using "stimulating" in passive constructions that dilute its impact. Instead of saying "The economy is being stimulated by...", opt for "Policy X is stimulating the economy..." for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The term "stimulating" primarily functions as an adjective or a verb (present participle). As an adjective, it describes something that is engaging and provokes interest. As a verb, it describes the act of causing something to become active or energetic. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stimulating" is a versatile term that functions primarily as an adjective or present participle, conveying the idea of something arousing interest, excitement, or activity. As shown by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific writing, indicating its appropriateness for both general and specialized communication. While it's grammatically sound, aim for active constructions to maximize its impact. Considering its frequency and broad applicability, "stimulating" remains a valuable asset in expressing ideas clearly and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invigorating

Implies a sense of renewed energy and vitality.

energizing

Focuses on providing energy and enthusiasm.

exciting

Highlights the thrilling and engaging aspect.

arousing

Suggests provoking or awakening interest or emotion.

inspiring

Emphasizes the motivational and uplifting quality.

thought-provoking

Specifically relates to prompting intellectual activity and consideration.

motivating

Concentrates on providing an incentive or reason to act.

galvanizing

Indicates prompting sudden action or enthusiasm.

refreshing

Implies something pleasantly new or different.

challenging

Highlights the element of difficulty and intellectual engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "stimulating" in a sentence?

You can use "stimulating" to describe something that evokes interest, excitement, or enthusiasm, often in an intellectual or emotional context. For example, "The lecture was intellectually stimulating."

What are some alternatives to "stimulating"?

You can use alternatives like "invigorating", "energizing", or "exciting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "stimulating" in formal writing?

Yes, "stimulating" is appropriate for formal writing. It is frequently used in academic, business, and news contexts to describe something that encourages activity or interest.

What's the difference between "stimulating" and "motivating"?

"Stimulating" generally refers to something that excites or encourages activity, while "motivating" specifically implies providing a reason or incentive to act.