What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inspire
Example
The teacher's passion for literature inspired her students to become avid readers. [inspired: past tense]
Example
The athlete's determination to succeed inspired her teammates to work harder. [inspire: verb]
ignite
Example
The match ignited the pile of dry leaves, causing a small fire. [ignited: past tense]
Example
The speaker's powerful words ignited a sense of hope and optimism in the audience. [ignite: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inspire is more commonly used than ignite in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Ignite is more specific and is commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inspire and ignite?
Both inspire and ignite can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ignite is more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, which tends to be more formal.
