argument provoked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "argument provoked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a discussion or debate has been initiated as a result of a particular statement or action. Example: "The controversial article led to an argument provoked by differing opinions on the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The argument provoked questions from some of the court's seven judges that suggested that the judges were focusing on the carrying out of the death penalty.

The New York Times

His argument provoked an avalanche of blog commentary, articles on Edge.org and letters to The Times, pointing out that the order we perceive in nature has been explored and tested for more than 2,000 years by observation and experimentation.

The New York Times - Science

According to Washington, he never used the "F Word" in reference to Knight, but rather blurted it out in an unrelated context in the course of an argument "provoked" by Dempsey, who, he felt, was treating him like a "B-word," a "P-word," and the "F-word," which Washington said conveyed "somebody who is being weak and afraid to fight back".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Businesspeople argue that military-style command-and-control systems are out of date in a world of knowledge workers and fluid alliances.This argument provokes derision in the Special Forces Club.

The Economist

The arguments provoked by the study reflected the difficulties of discussing options for stemming illegal immigration, when researchers cannot agree on how many illegal immigrants there are and how they are affected by immigration enforcement.

The New York Times

There are people who think that the arguments provoked by the left have brought to the surface doubts that a lot of the professors have had about whether they are serving society in quite the way they thought they were Some consider the situation "a struggle for the soul of this institution".

The New Yorker

This dispute remains unsettled, just like many other arguments provoked by Domosławski's book, such as the controversy over the attitudes that journalists and writers adopted during the communist years, or the extent to which a biographer can explore the personal life of his or her subject.

The Guardian - Books

At the same time, the storm of controversy and argument it provoked set the tone of our environmental debates for much of the 40 years since its publication: debates that rarely address the most fundamental principles of Carson's thinking.

The Guardian

In that article, Chisholm presented an argument that provoked a remarkable amount of discussion and debate.

SEP

A glorious history versus an underwhelming present was the nub of the argument that provoked so much friction.

The Guardian - Sport

The husband who beats his wife at home or stabs her on the street in front of their children bases his defence in court on the same argument: "She provoked me by dressing salaciously, your honour".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "argument provoked", ensure the context clearly identifies what initiated the argument to maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "argument provoked" in passive constructions. Vary sentence structure by highlighting the actor that initiated the argument for more impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "argument provoked" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an argument was brought about or instigated by some external factor. It highlights the consequence (the argument) and its cause. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "argument provoked" is a grammatically correct construction used to indicate that a specific issue or action instigated a disagreement or debate. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, wiki entries, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for objective reporting. While grammatically sound and widely used, varying sentence structures can add impact to your writing. Alternatives such as "debate sparked" or "controversy triggered" can provide nuanced expressions of the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debate sparked

Focuses on initiating a debate rather than emphasizing the argument itself.

controversy triggered

Highlights that the argument led to widespread disagreement.

discussion ensued

Emphasizes the sequence where a discussion followed from something.

disagreement arose

Indicates the start of a disagreement due to a specific cause.

quarrel ignited

Implies a more heated and intense argument.

dispute commenced

Highlights a formal disagreement that began.

conflict erupted

Suggests a sudden and intense outbreak of conflict.

polemic stirred

Focuses on the incitement of a controversial argument.

row erupted

Indicates that the argument turned into a loud and public dispute.

dissension brewed

Highlights the gradual development of disagreement that led to an argument.

FAQs

How can I use "argument provoked" in a sentence?

You can use "argument provoked" to show that a statement, action or event was the trigger for a discussion or disagreement. For example: "The controversial policy change led to an argument provoked by concerned citizens".

What can I say instead of "argument provoked"?

You can use alternatives like "debate sparked", "controversy triggered", or "discussion ensued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "argument provoked" or "provoked argument"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Argument provoked" emphasizes that an argument happened as a result of something. "Provoked argument" places more emphasis on the action of provoking.

What's the difference between "argument provoked" and "provoked argument"?

"Argument provoked" is often used to describe a scenario where a specific issue or action has led to a significant discussion or debate, while "provoked argument" emphasizes the act of causing the dispute.