it was inciting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was inciting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an event or action that provoked strong emotions or reactions, often in a negative context. Example: "The speech was so powerful that it was inciting anger among the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Last month Rwandan authorities detained six journalists and confiscated copies of their weekly newspaper, saying it was "inciting sectarian behavior".

The New York Times

The page, entitled "Third Palestinian Intifada", had already attracted the condemnation of the Israeli government, which said it was inciting violence against Jews.

Independent

The police said the website was inciting crime and it had too many videos that were pushing an agenda, it was inciting too much gang culture.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was incited by Kant's critical philosophy and especially by his Kritik der praktischen Vernunft (1788; Critique of Practical Reason...)...

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's inciting class warfare," said Carolyn Lenert, head of the North San Rafael Coalition of Residents.

The New York Times

It seems to me that technology, by shrinking our world and forming ever denser connections all across it, is inciting the growth, in both number and size, of loose-knit transnational organizations which over decades will rise in importance until they begin to usurp our notions of national identities.

TechCrunch

If a established organization didn't understand the irony and the message of the game and is claiming it is inciting intolerance, we simply failed.

Huffington Post

If we are having pensioners turning up and being called racist Nazi sluts, little old ladies who themselves or their parents probably fought in the war – that's a hate crime, it's inciting the public to violence".

Vice

Don't miss Elizabeth Kolbert's consideration of "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" and the furor it's incited in this week's magazine.

The New Yorker

It's incited some seriously strong emotions from all over the world.

Huffington Post

"It wasn't that he was inciting violence, it was that the media were taking his words and turning them into something that weren't really there," said another panelist and Trump backer Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was inciting", ensure the subject (the 'it') is clearly defined and that the context makes clear what is being incited. For example, "The speech was so inflammatory that "it was inciting" anger among the crowd".

Common error

Avoid using "it was inciting" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader understands what "it" refers to in the context, as ambiguity can weaken your writing. Consider replacing "it" with a more specific noun phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was inciting" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past continuous tense of the verb "incite". It describes an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was inciting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing action of provocation or stirring up feelings or actions in the past. Ludwig confirms its accuracy and usability. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "it served to provoke" can be used for a more formal tone. Although considered correct and usable, ensure that you have a defined subject. Overall, while the phrase isn't extremely common, its usage is correct and effective in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it served to provoke

Focuses on the action's function as a provocation rather than an ongoing incitement.

it tended to trigger

Emphasizes the initiation of a specific reaction or event.

it had the effect of stirring up

Highlights the consequence of the action as creating unrest or excitement.

it acted as a catalyst for

Presents the action as accelerating or initiating a change.

it worked to fuel

Implies that the action provided additional energy or intensity to an existing situation.

it contributed to sparking

Suggests the action was one of several factors leading to a sudden outburst or beginning.

it was instrumental in fomenting

Highlights the action's crucial role in developing or promoting something, often negative.

it helped to instigate

Emphasizes the initiation of an event or action, often with negative connotations.

it played a role in provoking

Shows that the action was a participant in the act of provoking.

it was a factor in galvanizing

Suggests the action stimulated or mobilized a group of people.

FAQs

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

Use "it was inciting" to describe something that provoked or stirred up strong feelings or actions. For example: "The article was controversial because "it was inciting" violence".

What's a more formal alternative to "it was inciting"?

A more formal alternative could be "it served to provoke" or "it contributed to". These options offer a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is it correct to say "it was inciting"?

Yes, "it was inciting" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in journalistic contexts. However, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "it was inciting" and "it incited"?

"It was inciting" is in the past continuous tense, suggesting an ongoing action in the past, while "it incited" is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration of the incitement.