At the instigation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At the instigation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has prompted or encouraged another person to take a specific action, often implying a negative connotation. Example: "The decision to proceed with the investigation was made at the instigation of the concerned citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the instigation of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela's leftist president, this year six others were freed.

The Economist

At the instigation of his enemies he was eventually arrested for heresy and treason and executed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of the market's regulated brokers, about 20 unlicensed stockbrokers (coulissiers) were arrested and had their papers seized.

The Economist

At the instigation of Gaea the Titans rebelled against their father, who had shut them up in the underworld (Tartarus).

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of Catherine an unsuccessful assassination attempt was made against Coligny on Aug. 22, 1572, in Paris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of her father, a New York-based map publisher, she sets about creating one with historic results.

The Guardian

At the instigation of the Japanese, the Korean government initiated a wide range of reforms during the war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of Pope Felix IV (526 530), Caesarius condemned semi-Pelagianism at the second Council of Orange (529).

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of Norman Petty, who seems to have been something of a frustrated Mantovani, Holly was moving towards a lusher, string-riddled sound.

The Guardian - Music

At the instigation of the regents, the young sovereign headed an insurrection against the French at Hue on July 4 , 1885

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the instigation of the French, the 1975 meeting drew in heads of government.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the sentence structure clearly identifies both the instigator and the action they prompted to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "At the instigation of" when the instigator's role is indirect or uncertain. Ensure there's a clear causal link between the instigator and the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At the instigation of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason or impetus behind an action. It highlights who or what prompted a specific event, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

58%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "At the instigation of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate the initiator or prompter of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it is commonly found in encyclopedias, news & media, and wiki sources. Alternative phrasing includes "on the prompting of", "under the influence of", and "at the urging of", offering subtle variations in meaning. When writing, use this phrase to clearly attribute agency and avoid misattributing the instigator's role. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On the prompting of

Emphasizes suggestion or encouragement as the cause.

At the urging of

Highlights a strong request or plea that leads to action.

Due to the influence of

Emphasizes the causal effect one entity has on another's actions.

Under the influence of

Suggests a more subtle or indirect form of control.

Driven by

Focuses on the motivational factor behind an action.

Inspired by

Suggests a creative or aspirational trigger for an action.

On behalf of

Indicates acting as an agent or representative.

Through the agency of

Highlights the method or means by which an action is carried out.

As a result of

Highlights the consequence or outcome of a suggestion.

By the contrivance of

Suggests a plan or scheme is behind the action.

FAQs

How can I use "At the instigation of" in a sentence?

Use "At the instigation of" to show who initiated or prompted an action. For example, "The investigation began "at the instigation of" the concerned citizens".

What are some alternatives to "At the instigation of"?

You can use alternatives like "on the prompting of", "under the influence of", or "at the urging of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "At the instigation of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the role of someone or something in initiating an action, often implying a degree of influence or persuasion.

What is the difference between "At the instigation of" and "Because of"?

"At the instigation of" specifically highlights the role of an instigator in prompting an action, while "because of" indicates a general cause or reason without necessarily implying an instigator.