provoke a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke a question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that stimulates curiosity or prompts inquiry. Example: "The speaker's controversial statement was designed to provoke a question about societal norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And there is always the chance that the sight of a historic monument will provoke a question from your supposedly supportive travel companion, a question that you should be able to -- but at that very moment can't -- answer.

The New York Times - Travel

The analyses presented in this section provoke a question that is difficult to answer: if there had been a generalised decline in student engagement, why was it not evident in similar degrees in all three domains?

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But when the team advanced to the state semifinals in its league, the accomplishment provoked a question of faith.

The New York Times - Sports

Others just think it fun to pet something so fat, wet and endangered.For me, it provokes a question.

The Economist

This staggering achievement provokes a question: Why are Korean women so good at golf?South Korea is a small, crowded country.

The Economist

The razor-thin gap between the majority and minority parties in the Senate provokes a question: If there is a tie, what role would Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, right, a Democrat, play?

The New York Times

The action proceeds from mild kink — a threesome, a spanking — toward more mystical activities, including hypnosis and levitation, and ends, as most of Mr. Brisseau's films do, by provoking a question: Is he serious?

The New York Times

It's a lively, brittle and memorable piece of work -- filmmakers pop in and out of a hotel room, sit in front of a camera and reveal their feelings on life and filmmaking -- a work that now provokes a question itself.

The New York Times

The inventive and extraordinarily satisfying feature-film debut of the writer and director Jocelyn Moorhouse is so good that it provokes a question: Whatever happened to her? Her career trajectory in the years that followed seems to prove that the American mainstream movie establishment has no place for a woman capable of such beguiling and spare work.

The New York Times

It provokes a question, why in 2015 are these bands and DJs still getting booked?

Vice

This interest in all corners of dance music provokes a question around what UK audiences actually want from a big night.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "Provoke a question" can sometimes suggest a deliberate or even challenging intent behind the stimulus.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke a question" when a more neutral term like "raise a question" or "lead to a question" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or confrontational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke a question" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "provoke" describes the action of stimulating or causing an inquiry. This aligns with the meaning indicated by Ludwig, as it is designed to create curiosity or prompt further investigation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke a question" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe the act of actively stimulating inquiry. As Ludwig indicates, its usage is somewhat rare but primarily found in news, media, and scientific contexts. It is important to consider the slightly stronger and more deliberate tone compared to alternatives like "raise a question". When used appropriately, it can effectively highlight the causal link between a situation and the resulting question. Ludwig AI indicates the usability of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise a question

Emphasizes the act of bringing up a question for consideration.

elicit a question

Focuses on drawing out a question from someone.

prompt a question

Highlights the act of triggering or initiating a question.

spark a question

Implies a sudden or energetic beginning of a question.

generate a question

Focuses on the creation or production of a question.

give rise to a question

Suggests a more formal and indirect causation of a question.

pose a question

Highlights the act of formally presenting a question.

invite a question

Suggests openness or encouragement for questions to be asked.

stir a question

Implies a question is being subtly or gradually awakened.

occasion a question

Indicates that something creates an opportunity for a question to be asked.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke a question" to describe something that stimulates inquiry. For example, "The experiment's unexpected result "provoked a question" about the fundamental assumptions of the theory."

What is a good alternative to "provoke a question"?

Alternatives include "raise a question", "elicit a question", or "prompt a question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "provoke a question" formal or informal?

"Provoke a question" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, although it carries a slightly stronger connotation of deliberate instigation than simpler alternatives like "raise a question".

What's the difference between "provoke a question" and "raise a question"?

"Provoke a question" implies that something actively stimulates or triggers the question, whereas "raise a question" simply means to bring it up for discussion. The former suggests a more direct causal relationship.