urge to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "urge to learn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong desire or motivation to acquire knowledge or skills. Example: "Her urge to learn new languages led her to enroll in several courses each semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Your correspondent occasionally has the urge to learn a new programming language.

The Economist

"Our mission is to serve kids' natural urge to learn.

The New York Times

The urge to learn the workings of a meticulously cultivated botanical garden?

Cornell University

As Andrew Pettegree, a distinguished historian, demonstrates in The Invention of News, very few of us can resist the urge to learn.

The Guardian - Books

"It is a two-way thing, domestic industries had the urge to learn more about Western education, culture and everything, and the outside world realized there is a big market in China".

The New York Times

Sometimes this takes the form of cultural fetishization: an urge to learn French in order to improve the taste of one's food, for example, or the quality of one's sex life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In the 1930s, German Jewish refugees were urged to learn English and refrain from speaking German.

The Guardian

We are constantly being urged to learn more about these things, since they define our culture.

The Guardian - Tech

The only direct reference is at the conclusion of each spot, where viewers are urged to learn more at akronchildrens.tv, a Web site that does highlight the hospital's attributes.

The New York Times

There is no sense of how education nurtures students' inner urges to learn -- their excitement over new ideas, their desire to express beauty, emotion and visions of a better society.

The New York Times

"I would no more urge everyone to learn programming than I would urge everyone to learn plumbing," Discourse co-founder and CTO Jeff Atwood wrote, suggesting that communication skills were at least as important to a well-rounded education as programming.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "urge to learn" when you want to convey a strong, intrinsic motivation to acquire knowledge or skills. It suggests a natural inclination and enthusiasm for learning.

Common error

While "urge to learn" effectively conveys intrinsic motivation, avoid overuse, especially in formal contexts. Vary your language by using synonyms like "desire to learn", "motivation to learn", or "passion for learning" to maintain a diverse and engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "urge to learn" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a strong internal drive or motivation. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, illustrating the widespread recognition of this inherent human characteristic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "urge to learn" effectively conveys a strong, intrinsic motivation to acquire knowledge or skills. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While "urge to learn" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's essential to be mindful of potential overuse and to consider synonyms like "desire to learn" or "motivation to learn" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hunger to learn

Replaces "urge" with "hunger", implying a more intense and fundamental need to learn.

desire to learn

Substitutes "urge" with "desire", providing a more common and slightly less intense expression of the motivation to learn.

drive to learn

Replaces "urge" with "drive", suggesting a proactive and energetic pursuit of knowledge.

motivation to learn

Substitutes "urge" with "motivation", focusing on the internal stimulus that prompts learning.

inclination to learn

Replaces "urge" with "inclination", indicating a natural tendency or predisposition toward learning.

passion for learning

Expresses a strong enthusiasm and love for the process of learning.

thirst for knowledge

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a deep and insatiable desire for information and understanding.

eagerness to learn

Focuses on the enthusiastic and anticipatory aspect of wanting to learn.

impulse to learn

Replaces "urge" with "impulse", emphasizing the sudden and spontaneous nature of the desire to learn.

appetite for knowledge

Uses "appetite" as a metaphor to represent a strong craving for information and learning.

FAQs

How can I use "urge to learn" in a sentence?

You can use "urge to learn" to describe a strong internal drive to acquire new knowledge or skills. For example, "Her urge to learn new languages led her to enroll in several courses each semester."

What can I say instead of "urge to learn"?

You can use alternatives like "desire to learn", "hunger to learn", or "motivation to learn", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "urge to learn" formal or informal?

"Urge to learn" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it leans slightly towards a more expressive and personal tone. For highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "desire to learn" or "motivation to learn".

What's the difference between "urge to learn" and "need to learn"?

"Urge to learn" implies a strong, intrinsic motivation, while "need to learn" suggests a requirement or necessity. For example, someone might have an urge to learn a new hobby, but they might need to learn a new skill for their job.