they are urging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are urging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone encouraging or strongly advising another person or group to take a specific action. Example: "They are urging the community to participate in the upcoming environmental clean-up event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Soon they are urging each other on.

The New York Times - Arts

This does not mean they are urging war.

The Economist

And they are urging him to do just that.

The New York Times

They are urging Lazar to return with his family.

The New York Times

They are urging him to draw conclusions before his company has completed its investigation.

The Economist

They are urging New York City Transit to provide free transfers to ease the pain.

The New York Times

And they are urging workers to pursue promotions and better negotiate conflicts to improve job retention.

The New York Times

Senior Kurdish officials say they are urging restraint from their people.

The New York Times

And they are urging female shareholders to write "Where are the women?" on their proxies.

The New York Times

In addition to broader copyright enforcement, they are urging continued adoption of free trade policies.

The New York Times

They are urging people to take to the streets on that day for a global human rights day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are urging" when you want to convey a sense of strong encouragement or persuasion towards a specific action or decision. It suggests that the subject is not merely suggesting, but actively promoting a particular course.

Common error

Avoid using "they are urging" when a simple suggestion or recommendation is intended. The phrase carries a weight of insistence that may be inappropriate in less forceful contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are urging" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present continuous construction. It describes an ongoing action of strongly encouraging or recommending a particular course of action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are urging" is a grammatically correct and common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of strongly encouraging or recommending. According to Ludwig AI, it’s valid for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves the purpose of persuading or influencing a recipient to take a specific action. While generally neutral in register, it carries a weight of insistence. Consider using softer alternatives like "they are encouraging" or "they are suggesting" for less forceful situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are encouraging

Replaces "urging" with a milder term suggesting support rather than strong prompting.

they are advising

Focuses on giving counsel, which may not necessarily imply the same level of insistence as "urging".

they are recommending

Suggests a course of action, but with less force than "urging".

they are advocating

Highlights the act of publicly supporting or pleading for a cause or action.

they are pushing for

Implies a strong and active effort to promote something.

they are prompting

Suggests initiating or instigating an action.

they are pressing for

Emphasizes the persistent and insistent nature of the encouragement.

they are exhorting

A more formal and intense version of "urging", often used in religious or moral contexts.

they are appealing to

Indicates a request made with earnestness or empathy.

they are imploring

Conveys a sense of desperate or urgent entreaty.

FAQs

How can I use "they are urging" in a sentence?

The phrase "they are urging" is used to indicate that a group is strongly encouraging or advising someone to take a specific action. For example, "They are urging the government to implement new environmental policies."

What's a less forceful alternative to "they are urging"?

If you want to convey a weaker recommendation, consider using alternatives like "they are suggesting", "they are recommending", or "they are advising".

When is it appropriate to use "they are urging" instead of "they are suggesting"?

"They are urging" is suitable when the encouragement is forceful and insistent, while "they are suggesting" implies a milder recommendation. Use "they are urging" when the subject is strongly advocating for a particular course of action.

What does it mean when someone says "they are urging"?

It means that a group or entity is strongly encouraging or imploring someone to take a particular action. It implies a sense of importance and a desire for the action to be taken seriously.