it was fomenting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fomenting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or feeling that is developing or intensifying, often in a negative or troublesome way. Example: "The unrest in the community was evident; it was fomenting into a larger conflict that could no longer be ignored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Russia has denied Ukrainian and Western claims that it was fomenting the insurgency in the east by sending troops and weapons, insisting that Russian nationals among the rebels are volunteers.

Los Angeles Times

"He is the kind of person I cared enough about that I wish I had nipped this in the bud when it was fomenting," Mr. Shays said.

The New York Times

"This was the first ever British dramatisation of the 50s rock'n'roll scene and the revolution in the streets it was fomenting," Oldham writes in Stoned.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was fomented by people who are taking a very limited view of things," he said.

The New York Times

"Unless you threaten Kim directly, it will be difficult to deter them". As North Korea progresses in its nuclear program, it is fomenting political discussion in both Japan and South Korea about their own potential nuclear weapons development.

Los Angeles Times

Russia has consistently denied it is fomenting the unrest.

The Guardian

Cisco dismisses the suggestion that it is fomenting war with longtime partners.

The New York Times - Tech

Allegations that it is fomenting a wave of public hysteria with unsupported accusations have been aimed at "Newsnight," the flagship BBC program.

The New York Times

Nowhere are the dilemmas and the possibilities better illustrated than in the case of the US state department, which under Hillary Clinton has become a full-throated supporter of "internet freedom" as a human right – while simultaneously trying to avoid the impression that it is fomenting regime change in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, American allies that heavily censor the web.

The Guardian - Tech

We are thrilled that Sandberg's book is creating the hoopla it is fomenting.

Huffington Post

In May 2011, however, Mongols in Xilin Gol, a sparsely populated prefecture about the size of Britain, rattled Mr Hu by staging the region's biggest protests in 20 years.The mining, it turned out, was fomenting instability.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was fomenting" when you want to describe a situation or feeling that is gradually intensifying, often in a negative or troublesome way. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being instigated or developed.

Common error

Avoid using "it was fomenting" in positive contexts. The word "fomenting" often carries a negative connotation, implying the stirring up of trouble or unrest. Using it inappropriately can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fomenting" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a continuous or ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the process of instigating or encouraging something, often negative, to develop.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was fomenting" describes a past action of gradually instigating or intensifying a situation, typically with negative undertones. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While grammatically sound, its relatively infrequent occurrence suggests a somewhat limited applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to analytically describe the progression of events. For alternative phrasing, consider using "it was stirring up" or "it was instigating" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was stirring up

Replaces "fomenting" with "stirring up", implying active instigation of trouble.

it was exacerbating

Replaces "fomenting" to highlight the worsening of an already bad situation.

it was instigating

Substitutes "fomenting" with "instigating", emphasizing the initiation of conflict or unrest.

it was escalating

Substitutes "fomenting" to emphasize an increase in intensity or severity.

it was breeding

Uses "breeding" instead of "fomenting", suggesting conditions that encourage the growth of something negative.

it was brewing

Replaces "fomenting" with a more colloquial term suggesting something is developing under the surface.

it was giving rise to

Replaces the single word "fomenting" with a phrase that maintains a similar negative connotation.

it was precipitating

Substitute "fomenting" to highlight the hastening or acceleration of a sequence of events.

it was generating

Substitutes "fomenting" with "generating", focusing on the creation or production of a particular outcome.

it was nurturing

Emphasizes a gradual, careful development, replacing the more aggressive "fomenting".

FAQs

How can I use "it was fomenting" in a sentence?

Use "it was fomenting" to describe something negative that is growing or developing. For example, "The discontent among the workers was evident; it was fomenting into a larger strike".

What are some alternatives to "it was fomenting"?

You can use alternatives like "it was stirring up", "it was instigating", or "it was brewing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fomenting" used in formal or informal contexts?

"Fomenting" is generally used in more formal or neutral contexts, often in news or analytical writing. It might sound out of place in very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "it was fomenting" and "it was causing"?

"It was causing" is a more general term. "It was fomenting" implies that something was actively stirring up or instigating a particular situation, often with a negative connotation. "It was causing" simply means that something was the reason or source of something else.