instigated by

USAGE SUMMARY

"instigated by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that was begun, inspired, or caused by someone or something. Example sentence: The march was instigated by the activists to raise awareness of the issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It wasn't instigated by him.

The Guardian - Sport

This has been instigated by Big Ears.

The Guardian

Mine was instigated by a divorce.

The New Yorker

This prosecution was controlled and instigated by the prime suspect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sexual relations with inmates were allegedly instigated by staff.

Independent

Haye claims the fracas was instigated by Chisora.

Independent

A lot of that stuff was instigated by them.

The New York Times

The detonating event appears to have been a fight instigated by a perceived insult.

The New York Times

The Paris attacks in November, partly instigated by Belgium-based jihadis, deepened his depression.

The Guardian

The bill was instigated by the then home secretary, Theresa May, in 2012.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Haqqani is now under a Supreme Court investigation instigated by the country's top generals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a simpler alternative like "started by" in less formal contexts for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "instigated by" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "started by" or "caused by" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instigated by" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the agent or cause that initiated a particular action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instigated by" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to attribute the start of an action or event to a specific cause or agent. Ludwig AI confirms this. While versatile, it is more appropriate in neutral to formal contexts. Consider simpler alternatives like "started by" or "caused by" for informal communication. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples, "instigated by" appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic content, making it a valuable phrase for both understanding and conveying information clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiated by

Replaces "instigated" with "initiated", maintaining the sense of starting something.

prompted by

Suggests that something triggered or motivated the action, rather than directly starting it.

caused by

Focuses on the direct cause-and-effect relationship, removing the implication of intentional initiation.

triggered by

Implies a reactive start, where something acted as a trigger.

brought about by

Emphasizes the result of an action, focusing on the achievement rather than the instigation itself.

started by

A more direct and simple alternative, less formal than "instigated by".

originated by

Focuses on the origin or source of the action or event.

set in motion by

Conveys the idea of initiating a process or series of events.

sparked by

Suggests a sudden or energetic beginning, similar to "triggered by".

led to by

Highlights the path or sequence of events that resulted from the initial action.

FAQs

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

Use "instigated by" to show who or what started an action or event. For example, "The protest was instigated by the students."

What can I say instead of "instigated by"?

You can use alternatives like "initiated by", "prompted by", or "caused by" depending on the context.

Is "instigated by" formal or informal?

"Instigated by" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "started by" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "instigated by" and "triggered by"?

"Instigated by" implies a deliberate action to start something, while "triggered by" suggests a reaction or response to something else. The former has a connotation of intentionality that the latter lacks.