stirs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stirs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an verb to describe the action of mixing or agitating something. For example, "She stirred the soup with a wooden spoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The current stop of the tour, at Coventry's Belgrade theatre, stirs up particular memories: "The last time I did this play here was in rep in 1974," he says.

The Guardian

Related: Death of Zamalek fans in riot stirs political conspiracies in Egypt The committee that seized Aboutrika's assets alleges that a travel company he co-founded in 2013, Ashab Tours, financed the Brotherhood, a charge he denies.

The Guardian

Switch to a spatula and give it a few more stirs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of the men stirs the mixture with a tree branch.

The Guardian

Perhaps in recognition that his notoriously tight discipline was provoking band members into quitting, the Godfather takes the brakes off in Rapp Payback and stirs all his influences into a fiery brew of soul, funk, gospel, jazz and African music, topped off by his trademark rasp.

The Guardian - Music

The traditional Tory attachment to the union no longer stirs the grassroots, says the MP, who during his hunt for a seat earned his loudest cheer by asking why the English could not declare independence from Scotland.Mr Salmond rejects such talk.

The Economist

Western countries should make plain that an independent Kurdistan will get no help if it stirs up secessionist Kurds across its border.As for Iraq's Arabs, the longer they fail to govern their bit of the country the less right they have to stop the Kurds governing theirs.

The Economist

If austerity stirs anti-German feeling, blame Brussels for inaction.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

All who were there have commented on the supercharged atmosphere among a crowd whipped into a frenzy by the nationalism stirred up by their first clash with Albania in Belgrade since 1967.

The Guardian - Sport

The screw tightens on benefits, while a ratchet of bankrupt hospitals and rushed closures will stir local protests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stir, add a splash of the cooking water to loosen, if necessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stirs" to describe emotions or reactions, consider the intensity and specific nuance you want to convey. Choose synonyms like "arouses" or "evokes" for milder effects or "incites" or "agitates" for stronger, potentially negative reactions.

Common error

While "stirs" is versatile, overuse can make your writing monotonous. In formal contexts, replace it with more precise verbs that accurately reflect the intended meaning, such as "catalyzes", "instigates", or "galvanizes", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stirs" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of "stir". It indicates an action performed by a singular subject in the present. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of mixing or agitating something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stirs" functions primarily as a verb, indicating an action of mixing or provoking. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The usage spans both physical actions and metaphorical implications, such as "stirs emotions". While versatile, being mindful of synonyms like "arouses", "evokes", or "agitates" can enrich writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, "stirs" is a common term that can be used in both formal and informal context. Ludwig's analysis shows "stirs" is versatile but be mindful of overuse and choose synonyms to enhance precision and avoid monotony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provokes

This term suggests a strong reaction or response, often negative or contentious.

arouses

Implies awakening or exciting a feeling, emotion, or response.

incites

Suggests urging or prompting someone to act, often in a negative or violent way.

agitates

This refers to causing disturbance or anxiety.

evokes

Focuses on bringing a feeling, memory, or image into the mind.

sparks

Indicates initiating or triggering something, like an idea or conflict.

prompts

Suggests encouraging or causing someone to do something.

triggers

Indicates setting off a chain of events or a reaction.

excites

Emphasizes creating enthusiasm or anticipation.

animates

Suggests giving life or energy to something.

FAQs

How is "stirs" typically used in a sentence?

The word "stirs" is commonly used to describe the action of mixing something with a utensil, like "She stirs the soup". It can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of provoking or inciting a feeling or action, such as "The speech stirs emotions".

What are some alternatives to the word "stirs"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "provokes", "arouses", or "evokes" to replace "stirs" in your writing. Each word carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "stirs up" instead of just "stirs"?

"Stirs up" implies a more significant or disruptive action than just "stirs". For instance, "stirs up trouble" suggests creating problems or unrest, while "stirs" alone simply means to mix or agitate something.

Is "stirs" formal or informal language?

The word "stirs" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using more precise synonyms to enhance clarity and sophistication.