Inspiring or inspirational?

An inspirational figure is one that imparts inspiration, inspires, provides or intends to convey inspiration. An inspiring figure is one that tends to arouse or exalt. I don’t think there’s much difference between the two adjectives the way they're being used.

Inspirational is a typical hyperbole on the word inspiring. Someone who inspires can be said to be inspiring as is that person's work. It is typical exageration that is a common to the ill-informed or lazy English speakers, trying to impress.

we say inspirational

ie

"i find stanley kubrick inspirational"

inspiring would be what he actually does

ie

stanley's work is so inspiring i find him inspirational

In England, when I grew up, "inspirational" was used mostly in an ironic, negative sense - something intended to be inspiring but that was actually mundane, etc. I think the difference between "inspiring" and "inspirational" is being lost, which is a shame. But it can't hurt to stick to inspiring, when that is what you mean!

So true.

Notice how many people use the word "service" instead of "serve." "They service that community," instead of "they serve that community.'' Wow, there's that extra, impressive syllable!

However, we don't "service" people; we service automobiles and appliances.

Quite right. 'Inspirational' is one of the new portmanteau words that are increasingly used in the American media and subserviently adopted in the UK. Such words are dumbing downs of more discriminating terms. They dispense with formal linguistic distinctions to the point of creating obscurity, either deliberately or thoughtlessly. If you carefully examine the way in which the word "inspirati

Anonymousnew portmanteau words

Hmmm... do you know the meaning of the highfalutin words you throw around?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_portmanteaus

AlpheccaStarshighfalutin

At the age of 70+. I'm glad to finally know how to spell this word. Thanks, A-Stars.

So pleased someone said that. The whole first sentence jarred, then the rest was a series of unnecessarily complicated words, that added nothing to the meaning.

Highfalutin is now a word I will wait my whole life to use. I'll ensure it is when it will be to maximum effect.