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 beauty of the sunset inspired the artist to paint a masterpiece. [inspired: verb]
spur
Example
The coach's pep talk spurred the team to victory. [spurred: past tense]
Example
The threat of losing his job spurred him to work harder. [spurred: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inspire is more commonly used than spur in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Spur is less common and more formal, and it is often used in professional or academic settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inspire and spur?
Spur is more formal than inspire, and it is often used in professional or academic contexts. Inspire is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
