ignite a controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ignite a controversy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or statements that provoke public debate or disagreement. Example: "The politician's remarks about climate change ignited a controversy among environmentalists and industry leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

THE disclosure that the Federal Bureau of Investigation withheld documents from Timothy McVeigh's lawyers seems certain to ignite a controversy that will burn for years, perhaps decades.

The New York Times

The author has no intention to ignite a controversy but fondly hopes to block or break the chain of unnecessary radiologic investigations, diagnoses of pseudogynecomastia based on these investigations, treatment of pseudogynecomastia with liposuction alone, and the risk for resultant unhappy patients because of residual gynecomastia.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The measure has ignited a controversy in Connecticut's Christian churches.

The New York Times

Instead, it has ignited a controversy as the accuracy – and ethics – of the story are debated online.

Independent

Last week, Willie Randolph, the embattled manager of the Mets, ignited a controversy when he discussed racism, double standards and perception.

The New York Times - Sports

An affidavit he recently submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has ignited a controversy within his organization.

The New York Times

Last year, the activity to rebuild the home of the late "Gone with the Wind" author, which burned down in 1994, in order to showcase it for the Centennial Olympics this summer ignited a controversy of Southern history.

The New Yorker

The prospect of seeing the agency dilute their ban on the unrestricted donations known as soft money has angered the sponsors of the federal campaign-finance law and ignited a controversy within the Democratic Party.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service official who first disclosed that the agency had targeted conservative groups for special scrutiny, and in doing so ignited a controversy that has ensnared the White House, denied on Wednesday that she had ever provided false information to Congress.

The New York Times

In early December, J. P. Morgan Research ignited a controversy with the new government when it urged investors to lower their exposure in Brazil, arguing that Mr. da Silva is "going to disappoint the market and will provoke a fall in foreign bonds and an increase in country risk".

The New York Times

Du Fu's seemingly negative commentary on the prized horse paintings of Han Gan ignited a controversy that has persisted to the present day.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignite a controversy" when you want to emphasize the act of starting a significant public disagreement. It suggests a rapid and often intense escalation of opposing viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "ignite a controversy" when a more neutral term like "spark a debate" would suffice. Overusing strong language can make your writing seem biased or sensationalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignite a controversy" functions as a verb phrase, where 'ignite' acts as a transitive verb taking 'a controversy' as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ignite a controversy" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe the commencement of public debate, often characterized by intense disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although not overly frequent, it is commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, be mindful of its impact and consider alternatives such as "spark a debate" or "trigger a dispute" if a less intense expression is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a debate

Focuses on initiating a discussion or argument, less intense than a full-blown controversy.

trigger a dispute

Implies a disagreement that may not necessarily reach a wide audience.

fuel a controversy

Suggests adding intensity to an existing controversy, rather than starting one.

stir up a hornet's nest

Indicates provoking a particularly angry or agitated response.

set off a furor

Highlights the sudden and intense public outcry resulting from an action or statement.

unleash a backlash

Emphasizes a strong negative reaction or opposition to something.

provoke an outcry

Focuses on causing a strong expression of public disapproval or protest.

generate discord

Highlights the creation of disagreement and lack of harmony.

precipitate a crisis

Implies bringing about a critical situation or turning point due to a controversial event.

incite public anger

Suggests deliberately provoking widespread resentment or outrage.

FAQs

What does "ignite a controversy" mean?

The phrase "ignite a controversy" means to start or provoke a significant public disagreement or debate. It suggests a sudden and often intense beginning of opposing viewpoints.

How can I use "ignite a controversy" in a sentence?

You can use "ignite a controversy" when discussing actions or statements that cause public debate. For example: "The politician's remarks about healthcare "ignited a controversy" among voters."

What can I say instead of "ignite a controversy"?

You can use alternatives like "spark a debate", "trigger a dispute", or "fuel a controversy" depending on the context.

Is "ignite a controversy" formal or informal?

"Ignite a controversy" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it tends to appear more frequently in news and media reporting than in casual conversation.