temporary impulse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "temporary impulse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fleeting or short-lived urge or desire that may not be well thought out. Example: "His decision to quit his job was merely a temporary impulse, driven by frustration rather than careful consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here the trail has so many dizzying switchbacks zigzagging up the mountainside, covered in incredibly beautiful knee-high lupine, that it invites a sense of dementia and the temporary impulse to yell out "Riiii-cco-la" to the hikers who are ahead of you and those behind.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nominal wages are growing at a 2% rate, unit labor costs are roughly flat, and the temporary inflation impulse from higher commodity prices and the supply chain disruptions in the auto sector is waning.

The New York Times

In neurapraxia there is temporary blockage of impulse conduction, although the axons remain intact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of short-term impulse noise to temporary threshold shift in soldiers using hearing protectors.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Come to think of it, though on a different scale, the impulse behind the temporary tattoo's popularity may not be all that different from the one that drives a desire for permanent ink.

Huffington Post

Second, trolling – like other forms of computer-mediated communication – unleashes people's impulses by providing anonymity and temporary identity loss.

The Guardian

One of the strangest consequences of the new center's political impulse may be "Islamic Science Rediscovered," a temporary show last seen in a shopping center in Dubai.

The New York Times - Arts

Impulse noise is even worse than the temporary threshold, though.

Huffington Post

This outlier detection system has been employed to remove impulse outliers, i.e. those which are created by temporary interferers rather than a general change in the trend of the traffic.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

These nerve impulses are also directed to the spinal cord, inducing temporary paralysis of the limbs.

BBC

A similar impulse is shaping Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, which will open in a temporary home at the end of December.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "temporary impulse", consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym like "fleeting urge" or "momentary desire" might be more appropriate to convey the precise nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid using "temporary impulse" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "fleeting urge" or "momentary desire" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "temporary impulse" functions as a noun phrase where "temporary" modifies the noun "impulse". It describes a short-lived urge or desire, as shown in Ludwig's examples where it refers to a passing inclination or a fleeting reaction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temporary impulse" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a short-lived urge or desire. As indicated by Ludwig, it's more formal synonyms include "fleeting urge" and "momentary desire". While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, consider the nuance you wish to convey and whether a more specific synonym might be more appropriate. Be mindful of overusing the phrase and vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Remember that according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting urge

Replaces 'impulse' with 'urge' and 'temporary' with 'fleeting', emphasizing the brief duration of the feeling.

momentary desire

Substitutes 'impulse' with 'desire' and 'temporary' with 'momentary', highlighting the short-lived nature of the inclination.

brief inclination

Combines 'brief' and 'inclination' to clearly indicate a short duration and tendency.

short-lived urge

Directly conveys the brevity of the feeling by using 'short-lived' to describe the 'urge'.

transient inclination

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing 'temporary' with 'transient' and 'impulse' with 'inclination', suggesting a brief tendency.

spontaneous urge

Highlights the unplanned and immediate nature of the feeling, substituting 'temporary' with 'spontaneous'.

passing whim

Emphasizes the capricious nature of the feeling, replacing 'temporary' with 'passing' and 'impulse' with 'whim'.

sudden notion

Focuses on the unexpected appearance of the thought or idea, replacing 'impulse' with 'notion'.

fleeting temptation

Suggests a momentary attraction or desire that is easily resisted.

passing fancy

Implies a short-lived interest or liking, replacing 'impulse' with 'fancy'.

FAQs

How can I use "temporary impulse" in a sentence?

You can use "temporary impulse" to describe a sudden, short-lived urge. For example: "His decision to quit his job was a "temporary impulse" driven by frustration."

What's the difference between "temporary impulse" and "fleeting urge"?

"Temporary impulse" and "fleeting urge" are similar, but "fleeting urge" emphasizes the briefness of the feeling more strongly. "Temporary impulse" simply indicates it won't last long.

What can I say instead of "temporary impulse"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting urge", "momentary desire", or "passing whim" depending on the specific context.

Is "temporary impulse" formal or informal language?

"Temporary impulse" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more informal contexts, "passing fancy" or "sudden notion" might be more suitable.