had been instigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been instigated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was initiated or provoked by someone or something in the past, often in a context involving conflict or controversy. Example: "The protests had been instigated by a series of controversial government decisions that angered the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Khan Mohammad recalled that Mr. Jan believed that the call had been instigated by Ahmed Wali Karzai, not the president.

The New York Times

Aranda convinced Charles that the riots had been instigated by the Jesuits and prepared the decree for their expulsion from Spain and Spanish America in April 1767.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He claimed that the protests had been instigated by a foreign conspiracy, but he acknowledged the legitimacy of some of the protesters' concerns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Ghonim rejected the government's assertions that the protests had been instigated by foreigners or the Muslim Brotherhood, the banned Islamist opposition group.

The New York Times

Given that the project had been instigated by Brand himself, and that it had been seven years in the making, with some six directors involved, it seemed odd.

The Guardian

But some analysts said they believed that Mr. Salisbury's departure had been instigated by the Schroder family after several years of poor performance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

This has been instigated by Big Ears.

The Guardian

This has been instigated without any dialogue with the workforce.

The Guardian - Money

Only some of them have been instigated against us by outside forces.

The New York Times

Most of the progress in this conservative state has been instigated by Republican Governor McCall.

The New Yorker

Obama told reporters at the White House that the conversation, believed to have been instigated by the Iranian leader, was constructive.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been instigated" when you want to emphasize that an action or event was started or brought about by a specific influence or cause, especially when there's an implication of manipulation or external prompting. For example, "The investigation had been instigated by a whistleblower's report."

Common error

Avoid using "had been instigated" in situations where a neutral start or beginning is intended. Opt for words like "started" or "initiated" when no external prompting is implied. Overusing "instigated" can make your writing seem overly dramatic or accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been instigated" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action was initiated or provoked by someone or something in the past. It emphasizes that the action of instigating occurred before a certain point in time, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been instigated" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that an action or event was initiated or provoked by an external influence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it often carries a connotation of manipulation or external prompting and is frequently found in news media, encyclopedias and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the context to ensure the intended nuance is accurately conveyed. Alternatives like "had been initiated" or "had been started" may be more appropriate in neutral contexts. While usually employed in neutral and professional settings, its overuse can lead to an overly dramatic tone. Therefore, writers should be aware of its connotations and employ it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been initiated

Focuses on the start or beginning of something, similar to instigated, but can be more neutral and less suggestive of conflict or manipulation.

had been incited

Indicates that something was encouraged or stirred up, often implying negative or violent actions.

had been prompted

Implies a direct cause or reason that led to the action, highlighting the stimulus rather than the instigator.

had been provoked

Similar to incited, but emphasizes a deliberate attempt to cause a reaction.

had been triggered

Suggests a reaction to a stimulus, often implying a sudden or forceful response.

had been started

A simpler and more direct way of saying something began; lacks the connotation of external prompting present in "instigated".

had been originated

Highlights the source or origin of something, which is similar to instigated, but emphasizes the root cause more directly.

had been fueled

Implies that something was intensified or made stronger, rather than started.

had been generated

Implies that something was created or produced, differing from instigated's implication of initiating an existing action.

had been inspired

Suggests a positive influence or motivation behind the action, contrasting with instigated's potentially negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "had been instigated" in a sentence?

You can use "had been instigated" to indicate that an action or event was initiated or provoked by someone or something. For example, "The riot "had been instigated" by inflammatory speeches."

What are some alternatives to "had been instigated"?

Alternatives include "had been initiated", "had been started", or "had been prompted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "had been instigated" and "had been started"?

"Had been started" is a more general term for beginning something. "Had been instigated" implies that the action was initiated due to a specific influence or prompting, often with the implication of an external cause or manipulation.

Is it always negative to say something "had been instigated"?

While "had been instigated" often carries a negative connotation, implying manipulation or external pressure, it isn't always negative. The context determines the tone. For example, "The reforms "had been instigated" to improve public safety" could be seen positively.