be provocative enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be provocative enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for something to elicit a strong reaction or to challenge conventional thinking. Example: "The artist aimed to be provocative enough to spark a conversation about societal norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The pun-filled ads comparing laundry habits to drug habits are intended to be "provocative enough" to be noticed, Mr. Ryan said, but not to generate complaints.

The New York Times

Gustavo Asman, the chief creative officer at Wing, said the campaign had to be provocative enough to attract New Yorkers who can choose from a wide variety of cultural events, while also appealing to a broad audience of Latinos and non-Latinos alike.

The New York Times

Research found the derogatory expression "is most extreme among older teenagers in high school and early college," Mr. Robertson said, so the campaign was devised to be provocative enough to "jolt them into thinking, or rethinking, how hurtful the use of the word is".

The New York Times

However, you do need to think about how you can be provocative enough to change what people do every day.

TechCrunch

These shows have to be provocative enough to inspire viewers to share the experience in real time via social media, and get those who missed the initial telecast to watch and share excerpts online the next day.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's a delicate balance, being provocative enough to get attention and still draw sympathy".

The New York Times

The menu is provocative enough to get foodies interested, and the spectacle, buzz, and flavor draw in the social flotsam of the meatpacking district.

The New Yorker

The trick has been finding series that are provocative enough to draw younger viewers but still wholesome enough to draw parental approval.

The New York Times - Arts

In his advertising, Ford knows how to sell sex that is provocative enough to seem European and yet polished enough to appeal to Americans.

The New York Times - Magazine

Jessamyn Blakeslee, as two women Mr. Zero dreams about, is provocative enough to make him seem a bigger man for his suppressed lust.

The New York Times

With its rigid cubist costumes by Picasso – which restricted Massine's choreography – and a promotional push from Cocteau, it was provocative enough to secure Satie's position at the vanguard of modernism.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be provocative enough to", consider your audience and the desired outcome. Ensure the level of provocation aligns with your goals and doesn't alienate or offend unnecessarily.

Common error

Avoid being gratuitously provocative simply for shock value. Ensure your provocative actions serve a clear purpose and contribute to a meaningful message, rather than detracting from it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be provocative enough to" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive of purpose. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates the degree of provocation needed to achieve a certain goal. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its usage in contexts where eliciting a strong reaction or inspiring change is desired.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be provocative enough to" is a phrase used to describe the need for a certain level of incitement to achieve a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage in scenarios where stimulating a reaction or driving change is key. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, requiring careful consideration of the intended audience to avoid unintended offense. When crafting your message, remember to use alternatives like "be sufficiently provocative to", "be bold enough to", and "be daring enough to" to nuance your expression, and avoid excessive provocation for shock value alone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficiently provocative to

Uses "sufficiently" instead of "enough" offering a slightly more formal tone.

be bold enough to

Focuses on boldness as the required attribute rather than direct provocation.

be daring enough to

Emphasizes the element of risk-taking or courage involved.

be stimulating enough to

Highlights the need to activate interest or excitement.

be controversial enough to

Replaces provocative with controversial, which focuses on potential disagreement.

be intriguing enough to

Stresses the need to be captivating or fascinating.

be edgy enough to

Uses edgy to describe a more unconventional approach.

be challenging enough to

Highlights the aspect of posing a challenge to the status quo.

be audacious enough to

Indicates a need for striking fearlessness or impudence.

be radical enough to

Focuses on fundamental or revolutionary change as the goal.

FAQs

How can I use "be provocative enough to" in a sentence?

The phrase "be provocative enough to" is used to describe the level of incitement required to achieve a specific outcome. For instance, "The advertisement needs to "be provocative enough to" capture the audience's attention".

What does "be provocative enough to" mean?

It means to be sufficiently stimulating, intriguing, or challenging in order to cause a reaction, draw attention, or initiate change. It implies a calculated degree of instigation to achieve a specific goal.

What are some alternatives to "be provocative enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "be sufficiently provocative to", "be bold enough to", or "be daring enough to" depending on the context.

Is it always good to "be provocative enough to"?

Not necessarily. While being provocative can be effective in grabbing attention or sparking debate, it's essential to consider the potential consequences and ensure the level of provocation is appropriate for the situation and audience. It's a balance between inciting interest and causing unnecessary offense.