incite curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

'incite curiosity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that arouses or encourages one's interest or desire to know more. Example sentence: The mysterious painting incited curiosity in all who saw it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Once-indelible dates no longer even incite curiosity.

The New York Times

The small, compartmentalized sections of the piece, exacerbated by the peculiarity of their form and the arrangement they are in, incite curiosity and urge close analysis.

Vice

Such images are harmful to children and teenagers, as they give the impression that sexual contact between adults and minors is normal and incite curiosity in children.

Vice

The small, compartmentalised sections of the piece, exacerbated by the peculiarity of their form and the arrangement they are in, incite curiosity and urge close analysis.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Instead, this movie incites curiosity tinged with confusion and irritation.

The New York Times

Why? Borgas wanted to a work that evolved over the four-day festival and incited curiosity.

The Guardian - Arts

SINCE its founding in May 2002 the New York film company FOCUS FEATURES, the art-house division of NBC Universal, has been the closest thing to a mainstream brand trustworthy enough that its logo in trailers incites curiosity and anticipation.

The New York Times

Teachers can stimulate students' interest by inciting curiosity, arousing strong emotions, introducing novelty, using a variety of instructional tools and/or tasks, including social interaction, connecting content to background knowledge and prior experiences, and using humor (Bergin, 1999; Jones, 2009).

International Journal of STEM Education

These fragmentary internal views incite our curiosity and voyeurism.

The Guardian - Arts

But, as more recent work has made clear, they should also incite our curiosity and skepticism: about how the Underground Railroad really worked, why stories about it so consistently work on us, and what they teach us — or spare us from learning — about ourselves and our nation.

The New Yorker

The media attention around the wedding had incited the curiosity of the local community who had referred the matter to Monterey County, who in turn had referred the matter to the commission.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incite curiosity" when you want to emphasize the act of actively provoking someone's interest or desire to learn more. It's stronger than simply 'attracting' or 'drawing' attention.

Common error

Avoid using "curiosity was incited" too frequently. Active voice constructions like "the exhibit incited curiosity" are often more impactful.

Linguistic Context

Incite curiosity functions as a verb phrase where "incite" (verb) acts upon "curiosity" (noun). It's used to describe the act of actively provoking or stimulating someone's interest or desire to know more, according to Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incite curiosity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express the act of actively provoking or stimulating someone's interest, as confirmed by Ludwig. While currently categorized as rare in usage, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts. When writing, consider using "incite curiosity" to emphasize a more forceful stimulation of interest compared to alternatives like "spark interest". Ludwig provides additional context and examples to aid in effective use of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark interest

Emphasizes a sudden, initial stimulation of interest, rather than a sustained arousal.

arouse inquisitiveness

Focuses on stimulating a desire for inquiry and investigation.

stimulate interest

Highlights the act of encouraging or accelerating the development of interest.

foster wonder

Suggests cultivating a sense of awe and amazement, which leads to curiosity.

ignite intrigue

Conveys a sense of mystery and fascination being sparked.

generate interest

Focuses on creating or producing interest where it may not have existed before.

provoke inquiry

Emphasizes the act of prompting questions and investigation.

awaken interest

Suggests bringing an existing but dormant interest to the surface.

kindle curiosity

Emphasizes gently stirring into flame the seed of curiosity.

cultivate inquisitiveness

Highlights the process of nurturing and developing a questioning mind.

FAQs

How can I use "incite curiosity" in a sentence?

You can use "incite curiosity" to describe something that provokes interest or a desire to know more. For example, "The mysterious artifact incited curiosity among the archaeologists".

What are some alternatives to "incite curiosity"?

Alternatives include "spark interest", "arouse inquisitiveness", or "stimulate interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "incite curiosity" or "spark curiosity"?

Both "incite curiosity" and "spark curiosity" are valid. "Incite" suggests a more active and intentional provocation of interest, while "spark" implies a more sudden and immediate ignition of interest.

What's the difference between "incite curiosity" and "encourage curiosity"?

"Incite curiosity" suggests a more direct and perhaps even forceful stimulation of interest. "Encourage curiosity", on the other hand, implies a gentler and more supportive approach to fostering inquisitiveness.