instigate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instigate with" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly, as "instigate" usually requires a direct object rather than a preposition like "with." Example: "He tried to instigate a conflict among the team members."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Of all of the societal shifts Beyoncé hoped to instigate with the release of Formation, boosting sales of a seafood chain by 33% was surely the lowest priority on her list.

The Guardian

I witnessed the same events as Sgt. Thomas, and what I saw were white radicals standing with their hands in their pockets waiting for someone "from the community" to instigate with the police.

Vice

The natural tendency to help the young with the wisdom of the elders is not a bad thing to instigate with care and gentleness.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is a change at least as big as the one that Bernays instigated with the birth of PR.

The Guardian

Where can we integrate with Pussy Riots, Gudkovs, raids and all the abuses that the power now instigates with full force?

The New York Times

But despite the reduction in non-essential gunfire, the essential day-to-day barrage, that shooting instigated with murder in mind, remains unabated.

The Guardian

It is all the more remarkable that the recovery was instigated with key personnel such as Robin van Persie, Cesc Fábregas, Gaël Clichy, Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky missing at different times, though one senior player who has been a constant has personified the revival.

The Guardian - Sport

A replicated, side-by-side, commercial scale experiment was instigated with a 1.5 m row-spacing CTF system compared against a 1.0 m row-spacing standard cotton system.

Soil and Tillage Research

Makinson added a fourth try, finishing a superb move that Walsh instigated with a tremendous dummy to Lomax, although Walsh was off target with both efforts off the tee.

BBC

Any technical assistance recommended by the Committee can be instigated with the support of the Afghan government.

Huffington Post

The first four numbers of the Journal featured Fielding's contributions to the "Paper War", a conflict he instigated with writers of other contemporary periodicals to generate sales.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of initiating something, consider restructuring your sentence to use "instigate" as a transitive verb (followed by a direct object) rather than pairing it with "with". For instance, instead of "instigate with", try "instigate action" or "instigate change".

Common error

Avoid using "instigate" with prepositions like "with" when you intend to convey initiating an action. This construction is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, focus on directly coupling "instigate" with the action or event being started. For instance, instead of saying "He tried to instigate with the police", consider rewriting it as "He tried to instigate a confrontation with the police."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instigate with" is typically used incorrectly. The verb "instigate" usually requires a direct object indicating what is being initiated. Ludwig AI shows that the correct use involves "instigating" an action or event directly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instigate with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the verb "instigate" should typically be followed by a direct object, indicating the action or event being initiated. Although there are a few instances where "instigate with" appears, it is recommended to rephrase the sentence for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. Consider using alternatives like "provoke with", "initiate with", or restructuring the sentence to use "instigate" with a direct object. Pay attention to the intended meaning to choose the most appropriate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke with

Emphasizes eliciting a response or reaction, potentially negative.

incite with

Implies stirring up strong feelings or actions, often negative.

trigger with

Highlights the act of setting something in motion or causing it to start.

initiate with

Focuses on beginning a process or action.

prompt with

Stresses encouraging someone to take action.

foment with

Suggests stirring up trouble or discord.

inflame with

Implies intensifying emotions or situations.

launch with

Highlights the beginning of an activity, often formally.

inaugurate with

Refers to formally beginning a project or period.

stimulate with

Indicates encouraging activity or development.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the word "instigate" in a sentence?

Use "instigate" followed by a direct object (the thing being started or initiated). For example, "He tried to instigate a fight" is correct, while "He tried to instigate with a fight" is not.

What are some alternatives to using "instigate"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "provoke", "initiate", "trigger", or "incite".

Is it grammatically correct to say "instigate with"?

Generally, no. "Instigate" typically takes a direct object. The phrase "instigate with" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

What's the difference between "instigate" and "initiate"?

"Initiate" generally means to start something, while "instigate" often implies starting something that may be negative, such as a conflict or dispute. They are not always interchangeable.