to nudge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to nudge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action where someone gently nudges or prods something or someone. For example: She nudged the book with her toe to see if anyone was hiding behind it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It prefers to nudge rather than bully.

The Economist

One has to nudge, cajole.

The Guardian - Arts

InBloom seems designed to nudge schools toward maximal data collection.

The New York Times

Europe's powers to nudge Hungary back from authoritarianism are limited.

The New York Times

Mortgage rates have already started to nudge up.

Independent

The administration would like to nudge it down further.

The Economist

They are also expected to nudge interest rates up gradually.

The New York Times

And, once more, winning seemed to nudge people to cheat.

Independent

Using SAWs, Dr Wixforth was able to nudge them along.

The Economist

The auctioneer, Yvette VanDerBrink, tried to nudge it higher.

The New York Times

He hopes to nudge the immature eggs to mature.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to nudge" when you want to convey a sense of gentle encouragement or subtle influence, rather than forceful or direct action. It implies a light touch and is suitable when a delicate approach is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "to nudge" excessively in formal writing where more direct and assertive language might be expected. Overuse can weaken the impact of your message. Instead, consider stronger verbs that convey a more decisive action, depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to nudge" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence or clause. It describes a gentle or subtle form of influence or movement, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where it's used to describe actions like subtly shifting policy or gently encouraging behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to nudge" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to describe gently influencing or subtly moving something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. It conveys a sense of gentle encouragement or subtle influence, rather than forceful action. When using "to nudge", remember to maintain a tone of subtlety and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more direct language may be preferred. Remember that, depending on the specific context you may want to use alternatives such as "to gently push", "to subtly influence" or "to prompt softly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gently push

Focuses on the physical aspect of a gentle movement, similar to a slight influence.

to subtly influence

Emphasizes the indirect and delicate nature of affecting something.

to prompt softly

Highlights the act of encouraging action in a mild manner.

to encourage gently

Indicates providing support or motivation in a tender way.

to lightly guide

Suggests providing direction with a delicate touch.

to inch forward

Focuses on slow, incremental movement.

to coax along

Implies persuading or gently urging forward.

to give a little push

Emphasizes a small amount of encouragement or force.

to move slightly

Highlights the action of causing minimal displacement.

to impel gently

Suggests a mild form of compulsion or urging.

FAQs

How can I use "to nudge" in a sentence?

You can use "to nudge" to describe gently influencing someone's behavior or subtly moving something. For example, "The government hopes "to nudge" citizens towards healthier lifestyles" or "She used her elbow "to nudge" the door closed".

What can I say instead of "to nudge"?

Alternatives to "to nudge" include "to gently push", "to subtly influence", or "to prompt softly", depending on the context. These options provide a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

Which is correct, "to nudge" or "to force"?

"To nudge" implies a gentle, subtle influence, while "to force" suggests a more direct and coercive action. The correct choice depends on the intended level of intervention or influence. You'd use "to nudge" when a light touch is appropriate, and "to force" when a stronger action is necessary.

What's the difference between "to nudge" and "to push"?

While both "to nudge" and "to push" involve applying force, "to nudge" implies a gentle and subtle movement or influence, whereas "to push" often suggests a more forceful and direct action. "To nudge" is less aggressive and more about subtle guidance.