has instigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has instigated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has initiated or provoked a particular action or event, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The investigation revealed that he has instigated a series of conflicts within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sir Gus has instigated "capability reviews" across Whitehall.

The Economist

Bad weather in ski resorts has instigated many a friendship.

The Guardian - Travel

In addition, she has instigated changes on Hurtigruten's ships.

The Telegraph

A woman has instigated each beard, the original bush requested by my first wife, Kirby.

The New Yorker

In Hungary, the rightist Jobbik party, playing to populist bigotry, has instigated violence against the Roma.

The New York Times

In response, Duterte's administration has instigated seven separate cases against Rappler.

The Guardian

This policy has instigated a dramatic increase in the number of North Korean workers sent overseas.

The Guardian

Since the Arab uprisings began in January, his ministry has instigated a long list of crackdowns and rule-tightening.

The New York Times

Newham said it has instigated 1,135 prosecutions for housing crimes – 70% of all such prosecutions in London.

The Guardian - Business

During her off hours she has instigated a game in which she and a boyfriend shoplift for sport.

The New York Times

Increased hillslope erosion following land clearance has instigated the accumulation of post-settlement alluvium (PSA), which has altered the boundary conditions and bank materials within which streams flow.

CATENA

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has instigated" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating or provoking an event, especially one that might be controversial or have significant consequences. Consider the tone and context to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "has instigated" in contexts where a more neutral term like "initiated" or "started" would be more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can create an unnecessarily negative or accusatory tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has instigated" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of initiating or provoking something. As shown by Ludwig, it's often used to describe the beginning of a process, event, or action, frequently with negative or significant implications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

31%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has instigated" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the initiation or provocation of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, it's best to use "has instigated" to highlight the initiation of a specific action, particularly one with notable consequences, while avoiding overuse in neutral contexts where simpler terms may suffice. Related phrases include "has initiated", "has triggered", and "has prompted", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has initiated

Focuses more on the act of beginning something formally or officially.

has triggered

Emphasizes a reaction or chain of events resulting from the action.

has prompted

Suggests the action served as an encouragement or reason for something else.

has sparked

Implies a sudden and often energetic start or reaction.

has given rise to

Highlights the creation or emergence of something new.

has set in motion

Focuses on the start of a process or series of actions.

has brought about

Indicates a direct causal relationship, emphasizing the result.

has been the cause of

Directly states the action as the reason for an outcome.

has led to

Suggests a sequence of events where the action was a contributing factor.

has generated

Highlights the production or creation of something as a result.

FAQs

What does "has instigated" mean?

"Has instigated" means has initiated or caused something to happen, often implying a degree of deliberate action or provocation. It suggests that someone or something has started a process or event, and is frequently used when the event has negative connotations.

What can I say instead of "has instigated"?

You can use alternatives like "has initiated", "has triggered", or "has prompted" depending on the context.

Is "has instigated" formal or informal?

"Has instigated" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication, but it may sound overly serious in casual conversation.

How do I use "has instigated" in a sentence?

Use "has instigated" when you want to convey that someone or something has initiated a specific action or event, especially one with significant or potentially negative consequences. For example: "The new policy has instigated a wave of protests."