provoke a change

USAGE SUMMARY

"provoke a change" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to cause or stimulate a change to occur. Example: The citizens' protest rally was able to provoke a change in the government's policies on environmental protection.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Can Smith provoke a change of mindset?

The Guardian - Sport

This time, however, the public outcry may provoke a change.

The New York Times

But not, evidently, one apt to provoke a change in Wallace's behavior.

The New York Times - Sports

During the daily proceedings, she is heartened when her strong words can provoke a change.

The New York Times

It seems profoundly counter-productive to cease contact with precisely that section of Israeli society most likely to provoke a change in direction within Israel".

The Guardian

The property transition zone is successfully detected by the tool; the sensor feedback can be used to provoke a change in the machining parameters to compensate altered material properties.

Manufacturing Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

His encounters there provoked a change of cinematic course.

The New Yorker

The obtained results indicate that the presence of these ions in the body of ceramic bricks provokes a change of the surface hardness and the compressive strength.

Construction and Building Materials

It has provoked a change in mindset as each has built on every new wave of success to bring through a new generation of talent.

The Guardian - Sport

The rising B content caused a gain in h-TiB2 phase fraction, which strongly affects the residual stress provoking a change from ~ 1 GPa tensile to ~ 1 GPa compressive across the coating thickness.

International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials

That uncompromising approach is personified by Van Commenee's take-no-prisoners approach – he has made clear his high expectations of a "golden generation" of athletes and promised to quit if they failed – and has also provoked a change of mindset.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoke a change", ensure that the subject performing the provoking action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what is causing the change.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke a change" when the alteration is minor or insignificant. Reserve this phrase for situations where the change is substantial or impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke a change" functions as a verb phrase, where 'provoke' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('a change'). It describes the action of initiating or stimulating an alteration or transformation. As Ludwig highlights, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke a change" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the act of initiating or triggering a shift or alteration, often in response to a specific stimulus. It is versatile enough for various contexts, with its prevalence noted in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying the actor causing the change and be mindful of the scale of impact. While direct synonyms like "cause a change" exist, alternatives such as "instigate a change" or "elicit a change" can offer nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instigate a change

Indicates a more active role in initiating or starting a change.

trigger a change

Emphasizes the idea of setting off or initiating a change, often implying a chain reaction.

cause a change

A direct and simple way to express bringing about a change.

generate a change

Highlights the creation or production of a change.

elicit a change

Focuses on drawing out or obtaining a change as a response.

foster a change

Suggests nurturing or promoting the growth of a change.

bring about a change

Implies successfully causing a change to happen.

give rise to a change

Indicates that something leads to or creates the conditions for a change.

encourage a change

Focuses on inspiring or supporting a change.

precipitate a change

Suggests causing a change to happen suddenly or prematurely.

FAQs

How can I use "provoke a change" in a sentence?

You can use "provoke a change" to describe an action or event that causes an alteration. For example, "The new evidence presented at trial could "provoke a change" in the jury's opinion".

What's a formal alternative to "provoke a change"?

A more formal alternative is to say "instigate a shift". This emphasizes a more deliberate and managed approach to causing a change. Compare "provoke a change" versus "instigate a shift".

What words are similar to "provoke a change"?

Similar terms include "trigger a change", "cause a shift", or "elicit a transformation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "provoke a change" or "cause a change"?

Both "provoke a change" and "cause a change" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Provoke" suggests a more reactive or stimulated change, while "cause" is more direct.