urged on

USAGE SUMMARY

"urged on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is motivated or inspired to action by encouragement, incentive, or exhortation. For example, "Her boss urged her on to finish her work by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The peasants, urged on by their clergy, refused to support the troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The belligerent former Communities Secretary Eric Pickles – urged on by newspaper companies – curbed this trend.

Independent

Three years ago, at 76, Grandfather West demonstrated against tax avoidance, urged on by Scales.

The Guardian

At age 17, urged on by some young Communists in his neighborhood, he attended a political rally in Times Square.

The New York Times

Yet, urged on by the new pope, Benedict XVI, Italy's bishops and priests told the faithful to boycott the referendum.

The Economist

That outcome appears now to have occurred spontaneously, urged on by the governor, according to interviews here.

The New York Times

When Pheu Thai named her as a candidate for prime minister, she was urged on by her brother.

The New York Times

At another, two prisoners who learned of the charges against him assaulted and raped him, urged on by Taliban inmates.

The New York Times

The Shiites suffered under Saddam Hussein after they revolted in 1991, urged on by the United States.

The New York Times

But the migrants, urged on by local activists, are refusing to co-operate.

BBC

Because of ambiguous records, the IRS, urged on by the estate's executor, claimed that some "gifts" were actually "income".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "urged on" when you want to emphasize external encouragement or pressure as a motivating factor for someone's actions. It highlights the role of an outside influence.

Common error

Avoid using "urged on" when the action is self-motivated or driven by internal factors. It's most effective when someone or something external is actively encouraging the action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "urged on" is that of a phrasal verb functioning as a past participle within a passive construction. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "urged on" is a phrasal verb commonly used to describe a situation where someone is encouraged or prompted by an external influence to take action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts. Primarily found in news and media, the phrase suggests a neutral register and indicates that an individual or group was stimulated to act. When using "urged on", ensure the context highlights external encouragement as the key motivator. While alternatives such as "encouraged" or "prompted" exist, "urged on" emphasizes the persistent nature of the encouragement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraged

This alternative suggests a more general form of support or motivation, often less forceful than "urged on".

prompted

This implies a direct cause or reason for action, whereas "urged on" focuses on the encouragement provided.

spurred on

This alternative emphasizes a stimulus or catalyst for increased effort or activity.

motivated

This focuses on the internal drive to act, while "urged on" emphasizes the external influence.

egged on

This suggests playful or mischievous encouragement, potentially leading to risky behavior.

incited

This suggests a stronger, potentially negative form of encouragement that could lead to unrestrained action.

inspired

This focuses on encouragement by positive emotions and role modeling, not necessarily implying action.

pushed

This indicates a forceful encouragement, bordering on coercion, unlike the more supportive "urged on".

pressed

This indicates a persistent and insistent form of urging, often more forceful than "urged on".

goaded

This suggests a persistent and often irritating form of encouragement, sometimes intended to provoke.

FAQs

How can I use "urged on" in a sentence?

Use "urged on" to indicate that someone was encouraged or persuaded to do something. For example, "The crowd "urged on" the runner during the final lap".

What is a good alternative to "urged on"?

Alternatives to "urged on" include "encouraged", "prompted", or "motivated". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "urged on" and "pushed"?

"Urged on" suggests encouragement and support, while "pushed" implies a more forceful or insistent action. "Urged on" is generally more positive in connotation.

Is "urged on" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "urged on" is suitable for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news and media.