precipitated

USAGE SUMMARY

"precipitated" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe an event that has happened suddenly or quickly, often as a result of some kind of action. For example: The announcement of the company's bankruptcy precipitated panic amongst its shareholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: UK top 10 albums of 2014 are all by British artists for first time Taylor said that the slide in British CD sales, precipitated by the rise of illegal downloads and digital sales and streaming, appeared to be slowing.

The Guardian

From coast to coast, thousands of protesters filled the streets to voice their frustrations with the grand jury's decision and to show solidarity for the family of the teen whose death precipitated a much larger conversation about race relations and American policing.

The Guardian

Fianna Fáil strategists argue that if the Greens brought down the coalition and precipitated a general election in the winter, the minority party would be decimated in the polls.

The Guardian

Carroll will cherish that moment but happily forget what happened four minutes into the second half when it was his poor attempt to tackle Kim Kallstrom that gave away the free-kick that precipitated Sweden's comeback.

The Guardian - Sport

But how would he have dealt with the Marconi scandal, the catastrophic outcome of the Paris peace talks, or the lies to the Sinn Féin leadership that secured the Irish Free State treaty but also precipitated the bloodshed in Ireland that lasted for the rest of the century?

The Guardian - Opinion

A prankster posing as an Irish television reporter nearly precipitated a crisis inside the embattled Irish coalition government today.

The Guardian - Business

But it precipitated thanks to the livestock version of the drug Diclofenac, developed in the early 1990s.

The Guardian

The sectarian civil war that gripped Iraq around 2006 was precipitated to a large extent by this development.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Johnston, the Seasiders' right-back, religiously abused Paddy Crerand whose fury precipitated an error that allowed Green to score.

The Guardian - Sport

A botched Red Army crackdown on protesters in Vilnius in January 1991 precipitated the failed coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in August that year.

The Guardian

Disappearing without trace, Bruno Pontecorvo cited ideological reasons when he eventually resurfaced five years later in Moscow, but precisely what precipitated his abrupt defection – during a family holiday in Italy – has always been unexplained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipitated" to describe situations where an event abruptly triggers another, especially when implying a cause-and-effect relationship with a degree of suddenness. For instance, "The scandal precipitated his resignation."

Common error

Avoid using "precipitated" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "caused" or "led to" for clarity and appropriateness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precipitated" is as a transitive verb in the past tense. It signifies the act of causing something to happen suddenly or prematurely. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Science

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "precipitated" functions as a transitive verb indicating that an event caused another to occur suddenly or unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English, particularly in formal contexts. It is very common in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's analysis. While it effectively conveys a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it should be used judiciously in informal settings, where simpler alternatives like "caused" or "led to" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "precipitated" and alternatives like "triggered" or "instigated" to ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered

Indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship, similar to "precipitated" but potentially implying a more immediate reaction.

caused

A general term for indicating causation, less specific than "precipitated" in terms of speed or suddenness.

sparked

Suggests a sudden and energetic start, similar to "precipitated" but with a focus on the initial event.

brought about

Implies a more gradual process of causation, differing slightly from the suddenness often associated with "precipitated".

gave rise to

Similar to "brought about", suggesting a more gradual and developmental process of causation.

led to

Indicates a sequence of events where one directly influences the next, less forceful than "precipitated".

instigated

Implies an active initiation of an event, often with a negative connotation, unlike the more neutral "precipitated".

prompted

Suggests a more gentle or suggestive influence, differing from the more forceful implication of "precipitated".

accelerated

Focuses on speeding up a process rather than causing it, a subtle difference from "precipitated".

hastened

Similar to "accelerated", emphasizing speed but less about the initial cause, distinguishing it from "precipitated".

FAQs

How can I use "precipitated" in a sentence?

Use "precipitated" to indicate that an event directly caused another event, often suddenly or unexpectedly. For example, "The economic downturn "precipitated" a wave of bankruptcies."

What can I say instead of "precipitated"?

You can use alternatives like "triggered", "caused", or "led to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "precipitated" or "caused by"?

"Precipitated" implies a more immediate and direct cause-and-effect relationship than "caused by". While both are correct, "precipitated" suggests a more sudden onset.

What's the difference between "precipitated" and "instigated"?

"Precipitated" usually implies a neutral cause-and-effect, while "instigated" suggests an active initiation, often with a negative connotation.