provoke conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'provoke conversation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage or initiate a discussion about something. For example, "The presentation was designed to provoke conversation about the importance of sustainability in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It is possible to provoke conversation without being insulting".

The New York Times

— and that ambiguity is designed to provoke conversation.

The New Yorker

Teams will illuminate issues and provoke conversation in the public sphere.

Stanford University

Both of the producers also said that they wanted "Eli Stone" to provoke conversation.

The New York Times - Arts

City officials cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from the data, saying the numbers were meant to provoke conversation, not rivalry.

The New York Times

The exhibition, which will be continually updated, is meant to provoke conversation on timely issues — the museum as a blog.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

You say green issues and the environment provoke conversations worth highlighting.

The Guardian

But she also said the research should provoke further study about the connection between time spent online and social development, and should provoke conversations in families.

The New York Times

Marketers can provoke conversations, but they have a harder time dominating them.

Forbes

"I certainly expect it's going to provoke conversations within families and between terminally ill patients and physicians," Monning said.

Los Angeles Times

When it comes to topics like feminism I think artists, such as Beyoncé, are well positioned to provoke conversations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke conversation" when you want to indicate a deliberate attempt to start a discussion, often about a specific topic or issue.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke conversation" in contexts that require very formal or technical language. In those cases, consider alternatives like "initiate dialogue" or "stimulate discussion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke conversation" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "provoke" is the verb, and "conversation" is the direct object. It is used to describe the act of initiating or stimulating discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provoke conversation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of initiating or stimulating discussion. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news media, academic circles, and scientific publications. While versatile, it's most effective when aiming to encourage debate or raise awareness on specific topics. Consider alternatives like "instigate conversation" or "elicit conversation" to fine-tune the nuance. Remember that while the phrase is generally neutral, avoiding it in highly formal or technical contexts might be a good decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instigate conversation

Focuses on actively starting or initiating a conversation.

elicit conversation

Highlights drawing out or obtaining conversation from someone.

trigger conversation

Emphasizes a specific action or event causing a conversation to begin.

provoke dialogue

Similar to "provoke conversation", but emphasizes a more formal or structured discussion.

evoke conversation

Focuses on bringing a conversation to mind or making it appear.

spark conversation

Implies a sudden and energetic start to a conversation.

provoke chatter

Suggests a more informal and possibly trivial conversation.

provoke discourse

Similar to provoke dialogue but indicates a more thorough and lengthy discussion.

stir conversation

Suggests a degree of excitement and possibly controversy.

incite conversation

Implies stimulating a conversation, potentially with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke conversation" to describe an action or event that causes people to start talking about something. For example, "The artist's controversial exhibit was designed to provoke conversation about social inequality".

What are some alternatives to "provoke conversation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "instigate conversation", "elicit conversation", or "spark conversation".

Is it better to use "provoke conversation" or "start a conversation"?

"Provoke conversation" implies a more deliberate attempt to initiate discussion, often about a specific or challenging topic. "Start a conversation" is more general and can refer to any beginning of dialogue.

What does it mean to "provoke conversation" on social media?

To "provoke conversation" on social media means to post content that encourages users to share their opinions and engage in discussions in the comments or on other platforms.