create a major stir

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "create a major stir" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation that causes significant excitement or controversy. An example: "The announcement of the new policy created a major stir among the employees." Alternative expressions include "cause a big commotion" and "generate significant buzz."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Typically such attempts did not create a major stir, they quickly disappeared into the background, but nevertheless they do contain some interesting and relevant ideas.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has created a major stir, including plenty of criticism.

The New York Times

It created a major stir when it premiered in 1979.

The Guardian - Opinion

That someone in Dr Pope's position would write along such lines created a major stir in some circles, though quite why it should have done I'm not sure, given that many other equally eminent climate researchers have taken a similarly cautionary position down the years (including Mike Hulme, former head of the Tyndall Centre, on these pages just over two years ago).

BBC

Penn's article created a major stir when it was published on Saturday night.

Vice

"It would create a major logistical hurdle".

The New York Times

Create a major error.

WikiHow

Of those three, only Edwards, who was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last season, created any major stir off the field.

The New York Times - Sports

A major stir in the boxing world in the past couple of weeks was created by Billy Conn's breaking his hand in a tangle with his father-in-law.

The New Yorker

By David Lardner The New Yorker, May 23 , 1942P. 53 A major stir in the boxing world in the past couple of weeks was created by Billy Conn's breaking his hand in a tangle with his father-in-law.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, May 23 , 1942P. 53 A major stir in the boxing world in the past couple of weeks was created by Billy Conn's breaking his hand in a tangle with his father-in-law.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, the variant "cause a major stir" is equally acceptable and often interchangeable.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary qualifiers like "create a major stir of commotion". The word "stir" already functions as a noun for commotion or excitement. Additionally, ensure you use the correct preposition; you create a stir "in" a group or "among" a crowd, not "at" them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "create a major stir" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "create" is the action verb and "a major stir" is the direct object. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the main predicate to describe the impact of a publication, a statement, or a public event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "create a major stir" is a robust and widely accepted idiom used to signify events that provoke significant public interest or controversy. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in high-quality journalism, where it effectively captures the essence of a 'news-making' moment. Whether describing a political op-ed in the New York Times or a scientific debate in an academic archive, this phrase remains a versatile tool for writers. Its strength lies in its ability to quantify the level of reaction without being overly dramatic, making it suitable for both professional and general writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a big stir

uses a simpler adjective but maintains the exact idiomatic meaning

produce a major stir

substitutes the verb with a more formal alternative while keeping the idiom intact

cause a sensation

implies a more widespread and perhaps more positive or awe-inspiring reaction

spark a controversy

focuses specifically on the divisive or argumentative nature of the reaction

generate significant buzz

more modern and informal, often used in marketing or social media contexts

cause a major splash

uses a different metaphor to describe making a significant impact

make waves

suggests challenging the status quo or causing a disruption

ignite a debate

specifically refers to a reaction that leads to intellectual or political discussion

create a furor

describes a more intense, sudden and angry public reaction

provoke an outcry

implies a much more negative or critical public response

FAQs

How to use "create a major stir" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a significant reaction, for example: "The director's sudden resignation is expected to "create a major stir" in the film industry."

What is the difference between "create a major stir" and "cause a scene"?

While "create a major stir" refers to a large-scale public reaction, "cause a scene" usually refers to a disruptive or embarrassing public outburst by an individual.

Can I say "create a major commotion" instead?

Yes, "create a major commotion" is a valid alternative, though it often implies physical noise or disorder rather than just social or intellectual excitement.

Is it "create a major stir" or "make a major stir"?

The most common and idiomatic form is "create a major stir", although "make a stir" is occasionally used in less formal British English.