be instigated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be instigated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or event is prompted or initiated by someone or something. Example: "The conflict was found to be instigated by external influences that sought to create division."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I have contacted Aviva, and been told that the transfer must be instigated by a financial adviser.

The Guardian - Money

The Sarobi District has been the scene of a growing number of insurgent attacks in recent months, most thought to be instigated by fighters loyal to the renegade mujahedeen leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who is allied with the Taliban but not formally part of the movement.

The New York Times

The change can be instigated by an external control or it can be automatic, for instance in response to variations in heat, pressure or velocity.These morphing composites could be used to produce more efficient turbine blades in wind and tidal generators, a seminar at Bristol University's Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science was told this week.

The Economist

Nearly every lease has been created at the behest of the country that sought to gain from the added territory, but there is no reason why such an arrangement can't be instigated by the nation that would benefit from the compensation.

The New York Times

Feeding determines the health of a population because altered growth and reproduction can be instigated by an effect on feeding [[4] [7]].

Environmental Sciences Europe

Further shifts from agro-pastoral systems to integrated crop/livestock systems tend to be instigated by increased human population densities, reduced access to natural resources and increases in services and markets (Herrero et al. 2009, Hobbs et al. 2008).

Pastoralism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Mine was instigated by a divorce.

The New Yorker

This has been instigated by Big Ears.

The Guardian

Haye claims the fracas was instigated by Chisora.

Independent

A lot of that stuff was instigated by them.

The New York Times

The bill was instigated by the then home secretary, Theresa May, in 2012.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be instigated by", ensure the agent causing the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The investigation was instigated by a whistleblower's report."

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "be instigated by" with an active voice construction when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For example, instead of incorrectly writing 'Someone instigated the rumor', use 'The rumor was instigated by unknown sources'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be instigated by" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action or event is started or initiated by a particular agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be instigated by" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive verb phrase that signifies the commencement or initiation of an event by a specific agent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and proper usage. Common in both scientific and news contexts, it is a versatile expression suitable for formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, it's important to identify the agent clearly to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "be initiated by" or "be triggered by" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be initiated by

Replaces "instigated" with "initiated", maintaining the sense of starting or beginning something.

be triggered by

Focuses on the immediate cause or catalyst of an event.

be prompted by

Emphasizes the suggestion or encouragement that leads to an action.

be caused by

Highlights the direct causation of an event or situation.

be started by

A more general and informal way of saying something was begun by someone or something.

be commenced by

A more formal way of saying something was started or initiated.

be generated by

Indicates that something was produced or created as a result of something else.

arise from

Indicates the origin or source of something, suggesting a natural development.

stem from

Similar to "arise from", but often implies a more distant or less obvious origin.

be derived from

Suggests that something is obtained or developed from a source.

FAQs

How can I use "be instigated by" in a sentence?

You can use "be instigated by" to indicate that an action or event was initiated or started by someone or something. For example, "The protest was "be instigated by" the activists."

What are some alternatives to "be instigated by"?

Some alternatives include "be initiated by", "be triggered by", or "be prompted by", depending on the context.

Is "be instigated by" formal or informal?

"Be instigated by" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including news, academic writing, and professional communication.

What is the difference between "be instigated by" and "be caused by"?

"Be caused by" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while "be instigated by" implies a deliberate initiation or prompting of an event. The phrase "be caused by" focuses solely on causation.