instigating to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instigating to" 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 without the preposition "to." Example: "He was accused of instigating violence during the protest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some NU members had been involved in sectarian riots, which some suspected the army of instigating to undermine his leadership.

The Economist

Al Sherif is also being investigated for his alleged role in planning and instigating to violence in the "Camel Battle" in Cairo's Tahrir Square when camel and horse riders tried to break up unarmed demonstrators during the January revolt, leading to several deaths and injuries.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A communications campaign was instigated to support the implementation.

The Guardian

In 2011, it won the Photographers Giving Back Photo Award, instigated to benefit the subjects of photojournalism.

Independent

Quite rightly, it suggests mechanisms that should be instigated to hold perpetrators of these crimes to account.

The Guardian

So those who did it are professional criminals, professional terrorists, because they wanted by all means to instigate, to ignite a sectarian confrontation in the area….

The New York Times

Mr. O'Hara, the lawyer, has never stopped believing the guardianship was instigated to keep Judge Phillips from running against Mr. Hynes for district attorney in 2001.

The New York Times

The crack initiation process of fretting fatigue is a complex phenomenon, and various approaches have been instigated to investigate fretting fatigue damage tolerance and crack initiation.

International Journal of Fatigue

Operation Alphabet was instigated to move Allied troops from Narvik to Britain.

Wikipedia

There were reports of anti-Jewish violence after audiences viewed the film; in particular, teenagers seemed particularly prone to be instigated to violence by the film.

Wikipedia

Viral infections were instigated to confirm the observation from the transfection experiments.

Cell Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the act of starting or causing something, use "instigating" followed directly by the object. For example, say "instigating change" or "instigating an investigation".

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "instigating". This preposition is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. Rely on stronger verbs that clearly convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instigating to" is generally grammatically incorrect, since the verb "instigate" typically takes a direct object without the need for a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms this by pointing out that the phrase is not correct. The function it attempts to fulfill is that of a causative verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instigating to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, recommending using "instigating" followed directly by the object. While there are a few examples of its usage across News & Media and Science sources, it's best to avoid this construction in formal writing. Alternatives such as "inciting", "triggering", or "initiating" offer more grammatically sound options. Be mindful of the correct usage of "instigating" to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Instigating

Removes the unnecessary 'to', correcting the grammatical structure.

Inciting

Suggests provoking or urging action, often negative or violent.

Triggering

Implies setting off a chain of events or reactions.

Initiating

Focuses on the action of beginning or starting something.

Provoking

Highlights causing a reaction, often deliberately.

Prompting

Emphasizes encouraging or causing something to happen.

Fomenting

Indicates stirring up or promoting unrest or discord.

Spurring

Suggests encouraging or motivating action.

Setting in motion

Highlights the act of starting a process or series of events.

Sparking

Implies igniting or initiating something, often suddenly.

FAQs

How to use "instigating" correctly in a sentence?

Use "instigating" directly followed by the object or action being initiated. For example, "They are accused of instigating violence" is correct, whereas "instigating to violence" is incorrect.

What can I say instead of "instigating to"?

Consider alternatives like "provoking", "inciting", or "triggering", depending on the specific context. For instance, instead of "instigating to riot", you might say "inciting a riot".

Which is correct, "instigating violence" or "instigating to violence"?

"Instigating violence" is the correct form. The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect after "instigating".

What's the difference between "instigating" and "inciting"?

"Instigating" generally means to initiate or start something, while "inciting" specifically implies encouraging or provoking negative or violent behavior. They are similar but not always interchangeable.