urged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "urged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong recommendation or encouragement for someone to take action. Example: "She urged him to apply for the scholarship, believing it would greatly benefit his future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sensing further instability, the vast majority of Greeks – led by the business sector – have urged the government to compromise, according to polls.

The Guardian

The one exception was Abbott's remark when he urged Indonesia to "reciprocate" for Australian aid by sparing the lives of Chan and Sukumaran.

The Guardian

As talks resumed at Stormont to revive the assembly, under the chairmanship of the Northern Ireland secretary, Paul Murphy, and junior Irish foreign minister Tom Kitt, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness urged the hardline DUP to strike a deal as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

In a morning headline speech, Walker claimed his reforms "can work anywhere in the country" and urged Republicans "to go big and go bold".

The Guardian

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Real Madrid fans to get behind "key player" Gareth Bale after the Wales international came under fire for going for goal instead of passing during Saturday's Primera División win over Espanyol.

The Guardian - Sport

In the end it wasn't Jeremy Clarkson's racist, homophobic or sexist comments, but a "fracas" with a colleague that became the final straw for the BBC, long urged to punish its highest-paid star.

The Guardian

He is urged to be careful by an air hostess who is assisting him in his quest to rescue his daughter from the clutches of a deposed South American dictator.

The Guardian - Film

When he asked the woman who had spoken to the Queen for her name, a friend standing with her urged her not to reveal it.

The Guardian

He urged Farage to fire advisers who, he claimed, were turning the party into an "ultra-aggressive" Tea party-clone.

The Guardian

Ed Miliband said Warsi had acted with "principle and integrity" and he urged Cameron to re-think his position.

The Guardian

I never urged the women who accused Ghomeshi of sexual assault to divulge their names.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "urged", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the urging and who is being urged, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "urged" when a more gentle suggestion is intended; opt for words like "suggested" or "recommended" instead to match the intensity of your recommendation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "urged" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "urge". It indicates a completed action of strongly advising or encouraging someone to do something. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "urged" is a versatile verb form indicating a strong recommendation or encouragement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "encouraged" or "recommended" exist, "urged" carries a slightly stronger connotation. When writing, be mindful of the level of force you wish to convey and choose your words accordingly to avoid misrepresenting the intensity of your suggestion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraged

Emphasizes providing support or confidence in someone's action, less forceful than "urged".

advised

Implies offering guidance or counsel based on knowledge or experience.

implored

Indicates a more earnest or desperate request, stronger than "urged".

recommended

Suggests a course of action based on its merits, less forceful than "urged".

advocated

Signifies publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.

exhorted

Conveys a more formal or elevated tone, often used in speeches or writings.

prompted

Focuses on initiating or triggering an action, rather than just encouraging it.

counseled

Similar to "advised" but can also imply a deeper, more personal level of guidance.

beseeched

Implies a humble and earnest request, often used in situations of great need.

appealed to

Suggests making a serious or urgent request, often to someone in authority.

FAQs

How can I use "urged" in a sentence?

You can use "urged" to express a strong recommendation or encouragement. For example, "The doctor "urged" the patient to quit smoking".

What are some alternatives to the word "urged"?

Alternatives to "urged" include "encouraged", "advised", or "recommended", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "urged" and "suggested"?

"Urged" implies a stronger and more insistent recommendation than "suggested", which is a milder form of advice.

When is it appropriate to use "implored" instead of "urged"?

Use "implored" when you want to convey a sense of desperation or a deeply earnest request, as it is a more forceful term than "urged".