inspire

/ɪnˈspaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈspaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈspī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw)

inspire — verb

  • inspirepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inspireshe / she / it
  • inspiredpast simple
  • inspiring-ing form

1. to fill someone with the desire and confidence to do something, especially somet

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to fill someone with the desire and confidence to do something, especially something difficult or creative

例句

Her teacher's words inspired Hyun to study harder for the final exam.

inspire + person + to-infinitive

What inspired Hugo to leave his job and start his own bakery?

question form: What + inspire + person + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • motivate

    more practical; focuses on reasons to act rather than emotional uplift

  • encourage

    implies direct support from another person; less about sparking new ambition

  • stimulate

    more intellectual; about provoking thought rather than emotion

反義詞
  • discourage

    makes someone lose confidence or desire to act

  • deter

    makes someone decide not to do something through fear or doubt

文法句型

inspire + person + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Frequently followed by an object plus a to-infinitive. The subject is often a person's example, a story, or an event rather than direct instruction.

常見錯誤

❌The movie inspired me going to Japan.
✅The movie inspired me to go to Japan.
💡'inspire' requires an object followed by a to-infinitive, not a gerund.

2. to cause a particular strong emotion to appear in someone — for example, inspiri

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to cause a particular strong emotion to appear in someone — for example, inspiring fear in a crowd, or inspiring hope in a community hit by disaster

例句

The mayor's speech inspired hope in the town after the earthquake.

inspire + emotion + in + person/group

His constant lies inspired deep suspicion among his colleagues.

同義詞
  • arouse

    more formal; used for both positive and negative emotions

  • evoke

    more subtle; often about memories, images, or atmosphere

  • provoke

    usually negative; implies a strong, often angry reaction

反義詞
  • suppress

    to keep a feeling from appearing or being expressed

  • dampen

    to make a feeling less strong or intense

文法句型

inspire + emotion + in + person

inspire + emotion + among + group

用法筆記

The direct object is always an emotion noun (hope, fear, trust, confidence, respect), never a person. To name the person affected, use 'in + person' or 'among + group.' Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a person and the result is an action.

常見錯誤

❌The speech inspired me hope.
✅The speech inspired hope in me.
💡the emotion is the object; the person is introduced by 'in.'

3. to produce a sudden creative idea in someone's mind, leading them to write, pain

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to produce a sudden creative idea in someone's mind, leading them to write, paint, design, or invent something new

例句

A trip to the mountains inspired Christopher's first novel.

inspire + creative work (direct object)

The traditional village dance inspired the choreographer to create a new performance.

同義詞
  • influence

    broader and less sudden; can be indirect or gradual

  • spark

    more informal; suggests a sudden, brief moment of inspiration

  • stimulate

    more about intellectual process than creative breakthrough

反義詞
  • stifle

    to prevent creative ideas from developing

文法句型

inspire + creative work

inspire + person + to + verb

用法筆記

Common in discussions of art, design, and invention. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on where an idea comes from, not on motivating someone to take a difficult action.

常見錯誤

❌Her travels inspired to her writing a novel.
✅Her travels inspired her to write a novel.
💡the object ('her') must directly follow the verb.

4. to take air into your lungs

4.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to take air into your lungs

例句

The doctor told Anthony to inspire deeply before the chest X-ray.

formal medical register: inspire + adverb

Kemi inspired the cool morning air and felt her lungs expand.

同義詞
  • inhale

    the standard everyday term for breathing in

  • breathe in

    the most natural phrasing in conversation; less formal than 'inspire'

反義詞
  • exhale

    to breathe air out of the lungs

  • expire

    formal term for breathing out; also means 'to die'

文法句型

inspire + air/breath

inspire (no object)

用法筆記

A technical or formal synonym for 'breathe in.' In everyday conversation, 'breathe in' is far more common. This sense is primarily used in medical, literary, or instructional contexts such as yoga or meditation.