at her instigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at her instigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has prompted or encouraged another person to take a specific action. Example: "The committee decided to investigate the matter further at her instigation, as she had raised several valid concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The break-up of Jopling and Taylor-Wood, it is said, was at her instigation.

Independent

At her instigation a number of people then produced a theory of these groups, the so-called homology and cohomology groups of a space.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This summer, at her instigation, the resort will move some of its massage tables outdoors and organize open-air yoga classes.

The New York Times - Travel

His relationship with Andie, too, appears to be more at her instigation than his, and while their breakup in the book is ugly, in the film it's barely there.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps she didn't seem intimidating at first: she is a small, friendly woman who wears jeans and a T-shirt whenever possible, and she has a shy smile, although her shyness dissolves whenever talk turns to coffee, as it always does, often at her instigation.

The New Yorker

It was at her instigation that the Tordinona, the first public opera house in Rome, was opened, and it was she who recognized the genius of and sponsored the composer Alessandro Scarlatti, who became her choirmaster, and Arcangelo Corelli, who directed her orchestra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

According to the Times, Bush relates the intense feeling of guilt that she felt for years afterwards, particularly for failing to go to the boy's funeral which she said was at her parents' instigation.

The Guardian

While working, she studied at her mother's instigation for a BA degree through the University of London's correspondence course.

The Guardian

At her aunt's instigation, Taylor transforms Kimmings into Catherine Bennett: a pop star who is imaginative, creative, wants to help people be happy and kinder to each other, and is OK with being different.

The Guardian

Harilyn talks a lot about cars, including learning to drive at her mother's instigation, an activity that became for Harilyn "a warning against the temptation to be a passenger in my life".

Huffington Post

Finally, touched by Psyche's repentance, Cupid rescued her, and, at his instigation, Jupiter made her immortal and gave her in marriage to Cupid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at her instigation", ensure that the context clarifies who 'her' refers to, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "at her instigation" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because she suggested it" or "she encouraged it" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at her instigation" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the reason or impetus behind an action. It highlights the role of 'her' in initiating or prompting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at her instigation" is a prepositional phrase that pinpoints a female figure as the originator or catalyst behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it's more suited to neutral to formal contexts. While not exceptionally common, it effectively highlights the woman's proactive role. It is mostly used in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Wiki" domains. For more casual settings, alternatives like "because she suggested it" might be more appropriate. Remember to ensure clarity by defining who "her" represents and prevent ambiguity, but be cautious not to overuse this phrase in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at her urging

Focuses on the persuasive aspect of her influence.

at her prompting

Highlights the act of her nudging or encouraging the action.

on her recommendation

Emphasizes that the action followed her suggestion.

at her suggestion

A more direct alternative, indicating she proposed the idea.

as she advised

Focuses on the advisory role she played.

following her lead

Indicates that others followed her example or direction.

on her initiative

Stresses that she was the first to take action or propose the action.

because she advocated

Highlights her support and promotion of the action.

at her direction

Implies she gave specific instructions or commands.

due to her influence

Shows the action happened as a result of her power or effect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at her instigation" to sound more casual?

For a less formal tone, you could say "because she suggested it", "she was the one who pushed for it", or "she got the ball rolling".

Is "at her instigation" interchangeable with "because of her"?

While related, "at her instigation" specifically implies she initiated or prompted an action, whereas "because of her" is a broader causal statement. For example, you could say "due to her influence".

How to use "at her instigation" in a sentence?

Example: "The project was launched at her instigation, as she saw the potential benefits early on."

What is a more formal synonym for "at her instigation"?

A more formal alternative could be "at her initiative", which emphasizes her proactive role.