at whose instigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at whose instigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the person or entity that prompted or encouraged an action or event. Example: "The committee investigated the circumstances surrounding the decision, particularly at whose instigation the changes were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Then, on Sunday, protesters in Sana, the capital, advanced toward government troops and began throwing rocks — at whose instigation is not clear — and the soldiers responded with deadly force.

The New York Times

At whose instigation he wrote Defensio Regia pro Carolo I ("Defense of the Reign of Charles I"), which was published anonymously in November 1649, is not clear, but it seems certain that Charles II paid for the printing.

Britannica

Several sagas about King Olaf I Tryggvason, at whose instigation the Icelanders adopted Christianity, were also written at Þingeyrar, where the work of the monks was fanciful rather than realistic.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But at whose expense?

The New York Times - Books

Yes, at whose funeral?

Independent

But at whose home?

The New Yorker

In the Fiji Islands, on the other hand, Coca-Cola itself was outlawed, at the instigation of soft-drink purveyors whose business had been ruined by the Coke imported for the solace of G.I.s during the war.

The New Yorker

These were set up by the communities at the instigation of a local NGO, whose members were was trained and supported by UNICEF.

Unicef

In Turin in 1677 an attempt was made to murder him, for reasons that are not known, though it was believed to be at the instigation of a Venetian senator with whose fiancée Stradella had eloped.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, whose responsibilities include government relations, told me that he suspects the block might have been at the instigation of a competitor — one of its Chinese rivals.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their tribunes raised a thousand stories against him, chiefly at the instigation of Metilius, who, not so much out of hatred to him as out of friendship to Minucius, whose kinsman he was, thought by depressing Fabius to raise his friend.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at whose instigation" when you want to formally and precisely identify the person or entity that prompted an action, particularly in investigative or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "at whose instigation" in informal settings, as it can sound overly pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "who suggested it" or "who started it" for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at whose instigation" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, typically used to inquire about or specify the originator of an action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at whose instigation" is a grammatically sound and formal way to inquire about or specify the initiator of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and Britannica. While generally uncommon, it's most frequently found in news, encyclopedic, and academic contexts. When aiming for precision and formality in your writing, "at whose instigation" serves as a valuable tool, but consider simpler alternatives like "on whose initiative" in more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on whose initiative

Emphasizes the proactive role of the person initiating the action.

under whose prompting

Focuses on the persuasive aspect of the instigation.

by whose encouragement

Highlights the supportive nature of the instigation.

at whose urging

Similar to prompting, but suggests a stronger degree of persuasion.

on whose recommendation

Implies the instigation was based on advice or counsel.

through whose influence

Highlights the power dynamic in the instigation.

because of whom

A more direct way of indicating causation.

due to whose suggestion

Similar to recommendation but less formal.

at the behest of whom

More formal and emphasizes authority.

who sparked the action

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the act of sparking something

FAQs

How can I use "at whose instigation" in a sentence?

You can use "at whose instigation" to inquire about or identify the person or entity that initiated a particular action or event. For example, "The investigation seeks to determine at whose instigation the project was launched."

What are some alternatives to "at whose instigation"?

Alternatives to "at whose instigation" include "on whose initiative", "at whose urging", or "by whose encouragement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "at whose instigation" formal or informal?

"At whose instigation" is considered a formal phrase. In more informal contexts, it's better to use simpler alternatives like "who suggested" or "who started it".

What is the difference between "at whose instigation" and "because of whom"?

"At whose instigation" specifically implies that someone initiated or prompted an action, while "because of whom" simply indicates that someone was the cause or reason for something. The former is more active and intentional.