chief instigator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief instigator" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person who was the primary source of an activity or movement, either positively or negatively. For example: "The chief instigator of the revolution was driven by a commitment to bring justice to all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The chief instigator of the Belgrade plot, Lieut.

The New York Times - Books

ADAM HOROWITZ is the Chief Instigator of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture USDACC).

Princeton University

The mufti, who was the chief instigator of the rebellion, fled the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chinese officials accuse her of being the chief instigator of the riots on Sunday.

The Economist

Many reports cited him as the chief instigator of fines for indecency against Mr. Stern in the 1990s.

The New York Times

And not just agreed, but seemed actually at times to be the chief instigator — why had he done that?

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Since the 1980s, former Yugoslav (Serbian and Croatian in particular) football fan clubs have been the chief instigators of violence at domestic and international football games.

The Guardian - Opinion

Salford's attacking triumvirate of Robert Lui, Michael Dobson and Gareth O'Brien were the chief instigators of Hull KR's torment and three tries in the opening 15 minutes, all of which were laid on by the trio, put Salford into a lead they never really looked like surrendering.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the chief instigators of multiple sclerosis (MS) has a split personality.

Science Magazine

For instance, according to one of the chief instigators of PSI, Daniel Hommes, the integration of care and research on the level of data is a chief imperative for clinical researchers working in academia (Hommes 2007).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

France, one of the two chief instigators of the conflict, recently opened talks with Qaddafi's government about ending the fighting.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief instigator" when you want to emphasize that a person or entity was the main force behind starting or promoting a specific action, event, or idea. It's especially effective when discussing controversial or significant developments.

Common error

Avoid using "chief instigator" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone is more appropriate for analytical or historical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief instigator" functions as a noun phrase typically used to identify the principal initiator or cause of an action, event, or movement. Ludwig provides examples across various domains demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief instigator" is a grammatically sound noun phrase, generally used to denote the primary initiator of an action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and acceptable in formal writing, especially in analytical or historical contexts. It is observed as "Very common", predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. The phrase serves to assign responsibility or highlight the main agent behind events, and should be preferred in cases of emphasis. Alternative phrases, such as "primary motivator" or "key agitator", offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary motivator

Focuses on the motivational aspect of initiating an action.

driving force

Emphasizes the power and energy behind the initiation of an event.

prime mover

Stresses the initial action that sets something in motion.

main driver

Highlights the driving force behind an event or action.

central figure

Highlights the person at the center of initiating an event or movement.

key agitator

Emphasizes the role of stirring up or instigating unrest or action.

mastermind

Implies a high level of planning and intelligence in initiating something.

chief architect

Suggests the role of designing or creating something, often in a figurative sense.

principal cause

Identifies the foremost reason or origin of something.

lead perpetrator

Specifically refers to someone who leads in committing a crime or wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "chief instigator" in a sentence?

Use "chief instigator" to identify the primary person or entity responsible for initiating an event. For example, "He was identified as the "chief instigator" of the protest."

What are some alternatives to "chief instigator"?

You can use alternatives such as "primary motivator", "key agitator", or "main driver" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "chief instigator" and "mastermind"?

"Chief instigator" generally refers to the person who starts something, while "mastermind" implies a greater degree of planning and strategic thinking behind the initiation.

Is "chief instigator" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "chief instigator" is well-suited for formal writing, particularly in analytical, historical, or journalistic contexts where identifying the primary initiator is important.