provoke confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that inspire trust or assurance in others. Example: "The leader's transparent communication style helps to provoke confidence among team members during challenging times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The citing of his work which the Zionist Organization of America takes credit for providing to the US lawmakers who drew the IRS's attention to IFCO does not provoke confidence in the auditors' conclusions.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

'We are losing our traditional supporters.' Wounding losses in May and June could provoke a no-confidence vote in short order.

The Guardian - Money

But despite the initial confidence provoked by two exit polls putting it comfortably in second place, Unidos Podemos came nowhere near the predicted sorpasso, or overtaking, of the PSOE.

The Guardian

On the baleful side of the balance beam: Dozens of threatening forces will continue to batter investor confidence and provoke scary visions of a recession.

Forbes

The education alone will assist your knowledge base enough to provoke more success-inducing confidence.

WikiHow

The macroeconomic crisis of the past two years is also provoking a crisis of confidence in macroeconomics.

The Economist

"It was the stench of possible misconduct by Fastow...that provoked the loss of confidence causing the run on the company's treasury," Mr Lay claimed.

The Economist

Rigid partisanship has repeatedly hindered or prevented Republicans and Democrats from reaching compromise solutions on vital legislation, provoking a crisis of confidence in our political and economic system.

The New York Times

It warned that the problem is now so serious that it is "provoking a crisis of confidence and trust among westerners training and working with Afghan National Security Forces" (ANSFs).

The Guardian

But the overall violence, known as insider or green-on-blue attacks, remains down sharply from last year, when it provoked a crisis of confidence in the coalition mission to train Afghan forces.

The New York Times

There is no doubt that the raid has provoked a crisis of confidence for what was long seen as the one institution that held together a nation dangerously beset by militancy and chronically weak civilian governments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke confidence" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or statement directly leads to an increase in trust or assurance. Consider the context to ensure that "provoke" accurately reflects the intentionality and impact of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke confidence" when a milder term like "encourage" or "foster" is more appropriate. "Provoke" can imply a stronger, more immediate reaction than intended. Assess whether the situation truly involves a significant shift in confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke confidence" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "provoke" (verb) describes the action that leads to "confidence" (noun). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academic

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke confidence" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare expression used to describe actions or statements that generate trust or assurance. As stated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and usable. Although "inspire confidence" or "instill confidence" are more common alternatives, "provoke confidence" emphasizes a direct and often intentional causation. It appears mostly in news, wiki and scientific contexts and it's considered neutral to professional. When using this expression, consider the intensity of "provoke" and ensure it accurately reflects the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspire confidence

Emphasizes the act of filling someone with confidence.

instill confidence

Focuses on gradually establishing confidence within someone.

generate confidence

Highlights the creation or production of confidence.

foster confidence

Suggests nurturing and developing confidence over time.

build confidence

Implies a gradual process of increasing confidence.

create trust

Shifts the focus to establishing trust, a key component of confidence.

encourage assurance

Highlights the act of promoting a feeling of certainty.

elicit trust

Focuses on drawing out trust from others.

develop credibility

Emphasizes building a reputation for being believable and reliable.

cultivate assurance

Suggests carefully fostering a sense of certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke confidence" to describe actions or statements that directly lead to increased trust or assurance. For example: "The leader's transparent communication style helps to "provoke confidence" among team members during challenging times."

What are some alternatives to "provoke confidence"?

You can use alternatives like "inspire confidence", "instill confidence", or "generate confidence" depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "provoke confidence" or "inspire confidence"?

"Inspire confidence" is generally more common than "provoke confidence". "Provoke" can sometimes imply a stronger or more unexpected reaction.

In what situations is "provoke confidence" most appropriate?

"Provoke confidence" is appropriate when a specific action or event directly and noticeably increases trust or assurance, often in a situation where confidence was previously lacking. It emphasizes the causative nature of the action.