strong impulse

USAGE SUMMARY

"strong impulse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can refer to a powerful urge or motivation, particularly one that causes a person to act without thinking it through. For example, "After she saw the shiny red car, she had a strong impulse to buy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'It was a strong impulse.

The Guardian - Film

I'm sympathetic to young poets who feel a strong impulse to disguise what they're saying.

The New York Times - Books

People who are overloaded will have a strong impulse to avoid or escape anxiety.

Harvard Business Review

We are not in that situation today – There is no strong impulse to demolish and rebuild.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hibernation is a strong impulse among theatregoers, even in cities that are warmer than Calgary.

The Guardian

Clinical islet transplantation has recently received a strong impulse from the results obtained with the introduction of the Edomonton group.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Strong impulse control, executive function, and social skills can lead to greater labor market and higher education success, better physical wellbeing and personal finance, and lower substance abuse.

Harvard University

After his arrest Mr. Metesky Metesizli was found by psychiatrists to be an incurable paranoid schizophrenic with a strong impulse to martyrdom.

The New York Times

A Soviet Foreign Ministry spokesman said today that the Kremlin hoped the Iceland meeting with President Reagan would give a "strong impulse" to arms-control negotiations.

The New York Times

I think there was a pretty strong impulse among Democrats before tonight to have Clinton stop talking about who failed her in her loss.

The New York Times

I wonder if her expression was that of someone torn between a fierce desire to express herself and an equally strong impulse to run away?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strong impulse" when you want to convey a powerful, often sudden, urge or motivation that influences behavior. It suggests a compelling internal force that is difficult to resist.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "significant motivation" or "compelling factor" for a more nuanced and less emotive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong impulse" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "strong" modifies the noun "impulse". Ludwig shows it describes a powerful internal drive or motivation that prompts action, as evidenced by examples like "a strong impulse to avoid or escape anxiety" and "a strong impulse to conform".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Strong impulse" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a powerful, often sudden, urge or motivation. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, be mindful of overuse in highly formal writing, opting for alternatives like "significant motivation" for nuanced expression. The phrase effectively conveys an internal force driving behavior, making it a valuable tool in both descriptive and explanatory writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

powerful urge

Replaces "impulse" with "urge" to emphasize the compelling nature of the feeling.

intense desire

Shifts the focus to desire, highlighting the emotional aspect of the motivation.

overwhelming temptation

Emphasizes the seductive or difficult-to-resist aspect of the impulse.

compelling motivation

Focuses on the driving force behind an action, making it seem unavoidable.

irresistible inclination

Highlights the instinctive and difficult-to-control nature of the feeling.

urgent need

Emphasizes the pressing nature of the desire, suggesting immediate action is required.

driving force

Presents the impulse as the primary factor influencing behavior.

consuming passion

Highlights the intensity and all-encompassing nature of the feeling.

inner compulsion

Focuses on the internal, almost involuntary, nature of the impulse.

visceral reaction

Highlights the instinctual, gut-level nature of the impulse, bypassing rational thought.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "strong impulse" in a sentence?

Use "strong impulse" to describe a powerful urge or motivation that someone experiences. For example, "He felt a "strong impulse" to help those in need" or "She had a "strong impulse" to travel the world".

What are some alternatives to using "strong impulse"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "powerful urge", "intense desire", or "overwhelming temptation" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "strong impulse" and "sudden urge"?

While both phrases describe a feeling that prompts action, "strong impulse" suggests a more compelling and difficult-to-resist motivation. "Sudden urge" may imply a more fleeting or easily dismissible feeling.

Can "strong impulse" have negative connotations?

It can, depending on the context. A "strong impulse" towards harmful behavior, like aggression or recklessness, carries a negative connotation. The morality depends on where the "inner compulsion" is directed.