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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
instigated on
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "instigated on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct preposition to use with "instigated" is typically "by" or "against," depending on the context. Example: "The conflict was instigated by external forces seeking to create division."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
A surveillance operation was instigated on a number of properties associated with the three identified men.
News & Media
Three weeks on, with basic communication skills established and surroundings already less alien, the upturn has been instigated on the quiet.
News & Media
Several investigations of different insurers have since been instigated on similar grounds.Another tactic used by the administration to sell health reform to a sceptical public is to trumpet tangible benefits the law will bring.
News & Media
An afternoon express was instigated on the same route in June 1879 and became known as The Zulu.
Wiki
I've never been keen to participate in discussions that were instigated on the grounds that I might have breasts, so I tended to shut them down pretty quickly.
News & Media
Our study was originally instigated on the basis of in vitro/in virtuo comparison with an agent-based computational model of epithelial cell interactions [17], [18], [19].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
50 human-written examples
Serena, a member of her crew, bristles at Ray's fly-on-the-wall method, and tries to instigate on-camera action for the sake of drama.
News & Media
He's a lawyer and an accountant, and I had no idea anything he might instigate on any front was against the law.
News & Media
Burke's crash inevitably called to mind the one involving Pearce, which instigated debates on the safety of such events.
News & Media
What we didn't quite anticipate is the track's ability to instigate full-on warfare between a rabid pack of elderly folk and a gang of hip twenty-somethings.
News & Media
Tortorella also said he had nothing to say about the $20,000 fine levied against him by the league for his remarks in Pittsburgh after Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik instigated a knee-on-knee collision that injured Derek Stepan on Thursday.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "instigate", ensure you follow it with the preposition "by" to denote the initiator or cause of the action: "The investigation was instigated by the authorities."
Common error
Avoid using "on" after "instigated"; the correct preposition to indicate the agent or cause is "by". For instance, say "The process was instigated by the team", not "The process was instigated on the team".
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "instigated on" functions as a passive verb construction, where "instigated" is the past participle of the verb "instigate" and "on" is a preposition. However, Ludwig AI points out that this specific combination is not grammatically sound in standard English.
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Science
35%
Wiki
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "instigated on" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "instigated" is typically "by". The analysis of examples reveals its presence in News & Media and Scientific sources, but its non-standard usage makes it less suitable for formal writing. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, it is recommended to use alternatives such as ""instigated by"", "initiated by", or "prompted by".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
instigated by
Replaces "on" with the more grammatically correct preposition "by", indicating the agent or cause of the action.
initiated by
A more formal synonym for "instigated by", indicating the start or beginning of something.
prompted by
Suggests that something triggered or caused the action, similar to instigation but with a slightly different nuance.
triggered by
Implies that something set off or initiated the action, often suggesting a chain reaction.
commenced by
A more formal synonym for "started by", indicating the beginning of an action or event.
started by
A simpler and more direct way of saying that something was begun or commenced by someone or something.
brought about by
Highlights the causal relationship, indicating that something was caused or produced by the action.
sparked by
Implies that something ignited or initiated the action, often suggesting a sudden or intense beginning.
led to by
Suggests that something was guided or directed to a particular outcome by the action.
set in motion by
Indicates that something was put into action or motion by the action, often suggesting a process or sequence of events.
FAQs
How to use "instigated by" in a sentence?
Use "instigated by" to show who or what started something. For example: "The protest was "instigated by" student activists".
What can I say instead of "instigated on"?
Instead of "instigated on", use alternatives like ""instigated by"", "prompted by", or "initiated by" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "instigated on" or "instigated by"?
"Instigated by" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Instigated on" is not standard English usage.
What's the difference between "instigated by" and "triggered by"?
"Instigated by" usually implies a deliberate action to start something, while "triggered by" suggests something set off a reaction or event. Both are causal, but the nuance differs.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested