it was instigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was instigating" is not correct in standard English usage.
The term "instigating" typically refers to provoking or inciting an action, and it is usually used in a continuous or active form rather than as a past tense descriptor. Example: "The rumors were instigating conflict among the team members."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Pentagon said it was instigating a full replacement of the ancient machines and while the entire upgrade will take longer, the crucial floppy disks should be gone by the end of next year.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now the government must take another groundbreaking step and reveal whether there was a spy-ring and, if so, whether it was instigated by UK agents.

The Guardian

I feel very certain, though I have no proof behind it, that regardless of who burned the house it was instigated by a white power structure.

The New York Times

It was instigated by a blind gossip column item purporting to respond to a 16-word answer by Mets Manager Bobby Valentine ("Probably. The players are a diverse enough group now that I think they could handle it").

The New York Times - Sports

It was instigated by an "Orwellian" change to Samsung's privacy policy regarding its smart TVs and where the data recorded by them is sent, in this case to a third-party.

The Guardian - Tech

In a statement explaining his absence, Russell Brand alluded to the film's difficult gestation – it was instigated seven years ago and saw half a dozen directors let go before Ondi Timoner, the director of the great music documentary Dig!, took the reins.

The Guardian - Film

He drew attention to the fact that it was instigated by the warring sides themselves, but he also tried putting it in a wider context .The bigger picture is that people in conflict need hope," said Mr Haysom, a South African who happened to serve as Nelson Mandela's chief legal adviser during his presidency.

The Economist

The extradition request for Chile's former strongman didn't even originate with the Spanish government; it was instigated by a maverick judge on a private crusade.

Forbes

It was instigated by the Scottish government and was given the task of investigating how the NHS collected, treated and supplied blood during the period.

BBC

Ethics committee approval was not needed for this study as it was instigated at the request of BTF representatives and not performed on any NHS site.

BMC Public Health

It is instigated and directed from abroad, and carried out by outlaws in the country," it said in a statement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "it was instigating", opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives such as "it was provoking", "it was initiating", or "it was inciting" to ensure grammatical correctness and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "instigating" in the past continuous tense when a simple past tense or a different verb construction would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "it was instigating", consider "it instigated" or "it led to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was instigating" attempts to function as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. However, Ludwig AI suggests that this construction is not considered standard English. A more common and acceptable alternative would be "it was provoking" or "it was initiating".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while examples of the phrase "it was instigating" can be found, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English, suggesting that alternative phrases like "it was provoking" or "it was initiating" are more appropriate. When writing, it's best to opt for these clearer alternatives to ensure your message is grammatically sound and easily understood. Its intended function is to describe an action in progress in the past, but its usage can be confusing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was provoking

Replaces "instigating" with a more common and generally accepted synonym, focusing on causing a reaction.

it was initiating

Substitutes "instigating" with a term that emphasizes the beginning or start of an action or process.

it was inciting

Replaces "instigating" with a synonym that suggests stirring up strong feelings or actions, often negative.

it was triggering

Substitutes "instigating" with a term that highlights the action of setting off a chain of events or a particular response.

it was fostering

Replaces "instigating" with a term that emphasizes nurturing or encouraging the growth of something.

it was generating

Substitutes "instigating" with a term that indicates the creation or production of something.

it was precipitating

Replaces "instigating" with a term that implies hastening or bringing about something, often prematurely.

it served to instigate

Uses a different structure, focusing on the purpose or role of something in causing an action.

it played a part in instigating

Highlights the involvement or contribution to the act of instigating.

it contributed to instigating

Emphasizes the contribution of something in leading to the act of instigating.

FAQs

Is "it was instigating" grammatically correct?

While you might find instances of "it was instigating", it's generally considered less correct than alternatives like "it was provoking" or "it was initiating". Ludwig AI points out that "it was instigating" is not standard English usage.

What are some alternatives to "it was instigating"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "it was provoking", "it was initiating", or "it was inciting".

How can I use "instigate" correctly in a sentence?

Use "instigate" in active voice or with auxiliary verbs that clearly convey the meaning. For example, "They instigated the conflict", or "The rumors instigated conflict among the team members".

What's the difference between "it was instigating" and "it instigated"?

"It instigated" (simple past) describes a completed action of starting something. "It was instigating" attempts to use past continuous, but is grammatically awkward. Use "it instigated" for direct past action, or rephrase to use other words to mean instigated.