Instigate

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Instigate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of provoking or initiating an action, often with a negative connotation. Example: "His comments were meant to instigate a reaction from the audience." Alternative expressions include "incite" and "provoke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Cameron was hoping for support at the Helsinki conference, known as the Northern Future Forum, for his bid to curb immigration and instigate broader EU reforms before a possible UK referendum on membership, he would have been disappointed.

The Guardian

Somebody needs to instigate proper in-depth research, gathering information across the industry, so we can get to the heart of the matter.

The Guardian

Hope and Von Badlo will be sentenced on 16 January and the FCA said it will instigate confiscation proceedings against both defendants.

The Guardian - Business

But it has also attracted criticism: there are questions about the charity's funding, its targeting of US leaders instead of African leaders to instigate change, and accusations that it is failing to criticise the Ugandan government, with its poor human rights record.

The Guardian

This would further alienate the already fragile trust of opposition groups and instigate a dangerous collapse of civil society.

The Guardian - Opinion

The FBI are currently monitoring the SIU investigation and the Franklin County coroner has pledged to instigate an inquest into the death after the SIU has concluded, meaning evidence will be seen by a jury of six who will make a non-binding decision on the lawfulness of the killing.

The Guardian

One reason is that there is not necessarily the institutional capacity in Mumbai to instigate innovative approaches to transport planning.

The Guardian

Crump said Zambrano-Montes's family would be calling on the federal Justice Department to instigate a "complete and thorough" investigation into the case.

The Guardian

Now it could instigate a big revolt of backbenchers.

The Economist

Mr Kenyatta denies that he helped instigate the violence.

The Economist

Possibly the most daunting combination was attempted by David Cameron namely to instigate sweeping structural adjustments, at the same time as austerity required efficiency savings of £20 billion over four year form 2001-2015 to secure the same level of coverage for an ageing population.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instigate" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating an action, especially one that might be controversial or negative. It's stronger than simply 'start' or 'begin'.

Common error

Don't use "instigate" when you mean to help something happen more easily. "Instigate" implies a more direct and possibly forceful action to start something, whereas "facilitate" means to make something easier.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "instigate" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of initiating or provoking something, typically an event, process, or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used in contexts where someone or something causes an action to begin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instigate" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the action of initiating or provoking something, typically with negative or controversial implications. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "incite" and "provoke" exist, "instigate" carries a distinct connotation of initiating a specific action or event. Therefore, using "instigate" with precision can enhance clarity and impact in writing. The frequency of use and the authoritative sources citing it underscore its relevance in formal and neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incite

Emphasizes the act of provoking or urging someone to act, often in a negative or violent way.

Provoke

Highlights the act of deliberately causing a reaction, often anger or annoyance.

Prompt

Suggests causing someone to do something or something to happen, often quickly or suddenly.

Trigger

Indicates the initiation of a process or event, often a chain reaction.

Spark

Implies initiating something, often an idea or emotion, with a sudden burst of energy.

Set off

Focuses on causing something to begin or activate, often involving a device or system.

Touch off

Similar to "set off", but often refers to a more volatile or immediate reaction.

Generate

Highlights the creation or production of something, whether physical or abstract.

Initiate

Focuses on formally starting a process or project.

Foster

Suggests encouraging the development or growth of something, often positive.

FAQs

How can I use "Instigate" in a sentence?

You can use "instigate" to describe initiating an action or event, often one that is negative or controversial. For example, "The article was written to "instigate change"".

What can I say instead of "Instigate"?

You can use alternatives like "incite", "provoke", or "initiate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "instigate a change" or "facilitate a change"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Instigate a change" means to start or cause a change to happen, whereas "facilitate a change" means to make a change easier to achieve.

What's the difference between "instigate" and "encourage"?

"Instigate" suggests a more forceful or direct action to start something, often with negative connotations. "Encourage", on the other hand, implies giving support or hope to someone or something.