incited by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incited by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has provoked or stirred up a particular action or feeling. Example: "The protest was incited by the recent government policies that many citizens found unjust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could they have been incited by his alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

The New York Times - Health

Diseases are incited by such living organisms as bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Young people were incited by his teaching, and they lost their lives".

The New York Times

Two of the recent incidents were incited by a violation of baseball's code of etiquette.

The New York Times - Sports

But objective arguments do little to dispel the emotions incited by this bitter legacy.

The New York Times

"The 1936 Olympics took place in an atmosphere of antisemitic hatred incited by the Nazi government.

The Guardian

Southerners grew convinced that slaves only became dangerous if incited by abolitionists.

The New York Times

Day after day, he captured images of the beatings, lynchings, and murderous rage incited by politicians.

The New Yorker

And the war George Washington led for independence from England was partly incited by salt shortages.

The New York Times - Books

Apparently incited by a northern rival promoter, Preston simply stopped reacting to McManus's "offensive blows".

The Guardian - Sport

-Why didn't the photographs of Abu Ghraib evoke the type of violence incited by the cartoons?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incited by" when you want to emphasize that something or someone deliberately provoked or stirred up a specific reaction or event. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the incitement led to undesirable consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "incited by" when a more neutral term like "caused by" or "motivated by" would be more appropriate. "Incited by" often implies a deliberate and often negative influence, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incited by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating causation or instigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes situations where something provokes an action or feeling. It is often used to attribute the cause of an event or behavior to a specific influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incited by" is a prepositional phrase used to express causation, typically with a negative connotation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to attribute responsibility or blame for an event or action. It's most commonly found in news and media, followed by science and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, remember it implies a deliberate provocation leading to a specific, often undesirable, outcome. Alternatives include "provoked by" or "triggered by", but these have slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoked by

Replaces "incited" with a synonym, maintaining the sense of something being stirred up.

triggered by

Suggests a more immediate or automatic reaction, like a mechanism being activated.

instigated by

A more formal synonym of "incited by", retaining the sense of deliberate action.

caused by

A more direct and general way of indicating causation.

sparked by

Similar to triggered, but with a sense of suddenness or initiation.

motivated by

Implies a reason or incentive behind an action.

fueled by

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the incitement, like adding fuel to a fire.

prompted by

Suggests a gentler push or encouragement, rather than a forceful incitement.

stimulated by

Indicates encouragement that drives a person to act.

brought on by

Indicates the reason for what it's related to.

FAQs

How can I use "incited by" in a sentence?

Use "incited by" to show that someone or something provoked an action, often with negative results. For instance, "The riot was "incited by" inflammatory speeches."

What are some alternatives to "incited by"?

Consider using alternatives like "provoked by", "triggered by", or "caused by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "incited by" the same as "inspired by"?

No, "incited by" implies provocation, usually towards negative action, while "inspired by" suggests a positive influence or motivation.

When is it appropriate to use "incited by" instead of "influenced by"?

"Incited by" is best used when the influence leads to a specific action or event, especially one that is undesirable. "Influenced by" is a broader term that doesn't necessarily imply a direct result. For example, you may prefer "incited by" when referring to an act of violence, but "influenced by" when referencing an artistic style.