instigation to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instigation to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of provoking or inciting someone to take a particular action, often in a negative context. Example: "The investigation revealed evidence of instigation to commit fraud within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Instigation to racism is shading into instigation to violence.

The New York Times

The RPR-Parnas deputy chairman, Vladimir Kara-Murza, seen walking with Kasyanov in the video, called it an "instigation to murder".

The Guardian

As such, the images in the exhibition follow the progression of war: from instigation to combat to victory and defeat, and on to memorialization and aftermath for fighters and victims.

The New Yorker

Tóibín gives a fascinating account of the genesis of the four poems Yeats wrote at Lady Gregory's instigation to commemor-ate the loss of her son, a major in the British army, shot down over Italy in 1917.

The Guardian - Books

Rupert is, in his own estimation, neither attractive nor charismatic, but he is invited, at Mountbatten's instigation, to Cliveden to meet the young Princess Elizabeth so that she can in turn meet some young people.

The Guardian - Books

A prosecutor in Busto Arsizio, the Lombard town where the episode took place, said Friday that he would open a criminal investigation into charges of instigation to racial hatred, and the town's mayor said he would sue the culprits, once they were identified.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And regardless of what led to the episode, it quickly focused attention on the degree to which inflammatory language, threats and implicit instigations to violence have become a steady undercurrent in the nation's political culture.

The New York Times

As Jumex-infused tequila shots flowed in the courtyard, upstairs, guests toured a retrospective of Minerva Cuevas's politically charged work, ranging from documentation of filmed and Net-based anarchist instigations to stacked mounds of bootleg Evian bottles rebranded "Egalité" and Del Monte tomato sauce cans promising "Pure Murder" inside.

The New York Times

He held a press conference in New York, to explain the context of ironic drunken instigation — and to assert, fairly, that he wasn't a racist.

The New Yorker

Many of these settlers decamped to new locales in Gaza, at Sharon's instigation, only to be removed once more, 23 years later.

The Guardian

By March 1470, however, Edward had regained his control, forcing Warwick and Clarence to flee to France, where they allied themselves with Louis XI and (probably at Louis's instigation) came to terms with their former enemy Margaret.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instigation to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is instigating and what action they are promoting. For enhanced clarity, consider specifying the intended outcome of the instigation.

Common error

Avoid using "instigation to" when simply describing encouragement or support. "Instigation" often implies a more direct or manipulative form of influence. Use alternatives like "encouragement to" or "support for" when a less forceful influence is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instigation to" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically followed by another noun or noun phrase, to indicate the act of initiating or prompting a particular action or state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing it used to describe the initiation of violence or racial hatred.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instigation to" is a phrase used to describe the act of initiating or provoking a particular action, often with negative connotations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clarifies who is instigating and what action is being promoted. While alternatives like "incitement to" and "provocation to" exist, "instigation to" distinguishes itself by highlighting a more indirect or subtle form of influence. Use with precision to accurately reflect the intended meaning and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incitement to

Refers to the act of urging someone to behave unlawfully.

provocation to

Emphasizes the act of deliberately making someone angry or upset.

incentive for

Highlights a motivating reason for doing something.

stimulus for

Suggests something that initiates or accelerates a process.

prompting of

Indicates the action of encouraging someone to say or do something.

trigger for

Implies a cause that sets off a reaction or event.

reason for

Provides a justification or explanation for an action or event.

motivation for

Focuses on the internal drive or desire to do something.

catalyst for

Describes something that speeds up a reaction or change.

inducement to

Suggests persuading someone to do something, often through incentives.

FAQs

How can I use "instigation to" in a sentence?

You can use "instigation to" to describe the act of inciting or provoking someone to take a specific action. For example: "The evidence pointed to his "instigation to" commit the crime."

What are some alternatives to "instigation to"?

Alternatives to "instigation to" include "incitement to", "provocation to", or "inducement to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "instigation to" the same as "incitement to"?

While similar, "instigation to" can imply a more subtle or indirect form of influence than "incitement to", which often refers to directly urging someone to unlawful behavior. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate term.

What's the difference between "instigation to" and "motivation for"?

"Instigation to" suggests causing someone to do something, often with negative implications, while "motivation for" simply refers to the reasons behind someone's actions, without necessarily implying external influence.