stimulus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stimulus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that encourages a reaction, action, or feeling. Example sentence: The financial stimulus package was developed to help boost the economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Putin spoke a lot on Thursday about sanctions and the weak rouble acting as a stimulus for local businesses; that Russian products would now become more competitive.

The Guardian

Rather ingeniously he equated such demands with Labour's call for stimulus spending.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not in any year of the budget forward estimates is there a forecast to cut government spending in real terms which is unlike the post-crash period when, after the stimulus measures, government spending fell in real terms in 2010-11 and 2012-13.

The Guardian

The Federal Reserve is set to end its economic stimulus program in October, bringing to an end the controversial five-year-old scheme even as officials said there were signs that the US economy was still in trouble.

The Guardian - Business

Only last November, when Alistair Darling was unveiling his package of VAT cuts and extra public spending in his pre-budget report, the spin from the Treasury and 10 Downing Street was that this fiscal stimulus would be quite enough, thank you, to support the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, yes, times do change, the economic situation has got steadily worse, and a new stimulus would indeed be a good idea if there were any money available to pay for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Draghi unveiled a mouse of a further monetary stimulus on Thursday.

The Guardian - Business

But I do believe that, in their time and in their way, faith was a comfort and a consolation as well as a stimulus to create buildings of supreme beauty.

The Guardian - Opinion

In other words, by ending QE, the Fed is not filling up the financial hole left by its stimulus.

The Guardian - Business

Who now believes that "light regulation" will encourage banks to contribute to the general good, or that the profit motive – as illustrated by the collapse of Southern Cross – is the best stimulus to high-quality domiciliary care?

The Guardian - Opinion

Yellen declined to give any specifics about whether or not the Fed would slow the pace of cuts it is making to its now $65bn-a-month 65bn-a-month 65bn-a-monthstimulus program.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policy, ensure you clearly define what type of "stimulus" you are referring to (e.g., fiscal stimulus, monetary stimulus) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "stimulus" without context. Specify the area or system being stimulated. For instance, instead of saying "the stimulus helped", specify "the economic stimulus helped small businesses" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stimulus" is as a noun. It typically refers to something that prompts or accelerates activity, development, or physiological change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stimulus" is a versatile noun frequently used to describe something that initiates a response, action, or growth. As Ludwig AI points out, its grammatical usage is correct and widely accepted. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, though it also appears in scientific discussions. When using "stimulus", it's important to provide specific context about what is being stimulated. Alternatives such as "incentive", "motivation", and "impetus" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incentive

Focuses on providing a reason or reward to encourage a specific behavior or action.

motivation

Highlights the internal drive or reason behind an action.

impetus

Emphasizes the driving force or initial energy behind a movement or development.

catalyst

Implies something that triggers or accelerates a reaction or change.

encouragement

Focuses on providing support or confidence to inspire action.

inducement

Suggests persuading or influencing someone to do something.

spur

Indicates something that prompts or encourages quick action.

boost

Implies an increase or improvement, often to enhance performance or growth.

driving force

Highlights the primary factor that compels or powers an action or event.

trigger

Emphasizes something that initiates a process or event.

FAQs

How can I use "stimulus" in a sentence?

You can use "stimulus" to refer to something that encourages activity or growth, as in "The government introduced an economic stimulus package to boost the economy".

What is an alternative to using the word "stimulus"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "incentive", "motivation", or "impetus" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "stimulus" and "incentive"?

"Stimulus" generally refers to a broad effort to encourage activity, while "incentive" is a specific reward or benefit designed to encourage a particular action.

Is it correct to use "stimulus" in a biological context?

Yes, "stimulus" can be used in a biological context to refer to something that elicits a physiological response, such as "Light is a stimulus for plant growth".