urge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "urge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong desire or impulse to do something. Example: "She felt an urge of excitement as she prepared for the big event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A sweet urge of self-justification fills me.

The New Yorker

Inevitably, one factor is the "universal and omnivorous human urge" of nostalgia.

The New Yorker

I can stimulate ideas, but the urge of doing it yourself is really very strong.

The New York Times - Science

It is the urge of the crowd to take control of the defective individual.

The New Yorker

Again, however, the larger story is the evident urge of Very Serious People to find excuses for inflicting pain.

The New York Times

He shared neither the social idealism nor the iconoclastic urge of the more extreme reformists at court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of this applies to "Nashville" too, the first great urge of the poet of loneliness to observe the crowd.

The New York Times

His discussion hinges on the urge of the Lower East Side immigrants to assimilate into the larger society.

The New York Times - Books

I don't understand the urge of certain car companies to foist a uniform front-end design on their entire lineup.

The New York Times

The irrepressible urge of politicians to justify what they are doing in moral terms is fully shared by David Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

The shrewd, combative instincts of a cop were pulling away from the confessional urge of an exhausted criminal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "urge of", ensure that the noun following "of" clearly defines the object of the urge. For example, "the urge of exploration" is clearer than "the urge of something."

Common error

While "urge of" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by substituting with alternatives like "desire for", "need for", or more specific verbs to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "urge of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun by specifying a strong desire or impulse related to that noun. Ludwig AI analysis suggests the phrase is frequently used to describe motivations and compelling feelings. For example, "the urge of adventure" describes a strong desire for adventure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "urge of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a strong desire or impulse. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its prevalence across various contexts, including news, science, and general media. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "desire for" or "impulse to" for enhanced clarity and sophistication. The frequency of this phrase and the 'correct' grammatical status provided by Ludwig confirm its acceptability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Impulse to

Replaces "urge" with "impulse", emphasizing a sudden desire.

Desire for

Substitutes "urge" with "desire", highlighting a strong feeling of wanting something.

Drive for

Uses "drive" instead of "urge", emphasizing a strong internal force.

Need for

Emphasizes a requirement or necessity, changing the focus from desire to requirement.

Motivation for

Replaces "urge" with "motivation", highlighting the reason behind an action.

Incentive to

Suggests a reason or reward that prompts action, shifting the focus to external stimuli.

Compulsion to

Indicates an irresistible impulse, suggesting a lack of control.

Longing for

Highlights a persistent and strong desire, often tinged with sadness.

Appetite for

Emphasizes a craving or strong liking, often used in the context of food or pleasure.

Yearning for

Suggests a deep and persistent desire, often for something unattainable.

FAQs

How can I use "urge of" in a sentence?

The phrase "urge of" is used to express a strong desire or impulse. For example, "The "urge of adventure" led him to travel the world."

What can I say instead of "urge of"?

You can use alternatives like "desire for", "impulse to", or "need for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "urge of" or "urge to"?

"Urge of" is followed by a noun, while "urge to" is followed by a verb. For example, "the urge of adventure" (noun) vs. "the urge to explore" (verb).

What's the difference between "urge of" and "sense of"?

"Urge of" refers to a strong desire or impulse, whereas "sense of" refers to a feeling or perception. They are used in entirely different contexts.