provoke him to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke him to" is correct and can be used in written English.
An example sentence might be: "The speaker's inflammatory statements provoked him to anger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

She took care not to provoke him to that.

The New Yorker

She thought it would make him angry, provoke him to do something, wreck something, worse.

The New Yorker

Harry is a good man whose circumstances provoke him to do bad things.

The Guardian - Books

His single-minded convictions often provoke him to act first and worry about the consequences later.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sex, and lying about sex, he adds, is not enough of a crime to provoke him to bail out on Mr. Clinton.

The New York Times

It's not so much that Landau told Springsteen what to think, more that he guided him to the books and films that might provoke him to think.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

I provoked him to get his attention".

The Guardian - Music

What provoked him to become a first-time director?

The New York Times

The composer is not slowing down, because events keep provoking him to write music.

The New York Times

Martiniano, removed after a 14 minute delay, said the referee provoked him to invade the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

I provoked him to give a speech, a very good speech but fairly short as it should be.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoke him to", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended action or reaction. The phrase often implies a negative or undesirable outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke him to" when a milder term like "encourage him to" or "motivate him to" is more appropriate. "Provoke" suggests a stronger, potentially negative influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke him to" functions as a verb phrase indicating causation, specifically that one action or situation causes a person to take a subsequent action. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke him to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes instigating a specific action or reaction in a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears in various contexts, it is most frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, be mindful of the often-negative connotations and ensure the level of instigation aligns with the intended meaning. Alternatives like "encourage him to" or "motivate him to" may be more appropriate in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger him to

Similar meaning, focusing on initiating a reaction.

incite him to

Suggests a stronger level of instigation, potentially towards negative actions.

spur him to

Implies encouragement or motivation to act.

motivate him to

Focuses on providing a reason or incentive for action.

prompt him to

Indicates a gentle push or suggestion leading to an action.

lead him to

Highlights guidance or direction towards a specific outcome.

drive him to

Suggests a strong compulsion or force behind the action.

push him to

Emphasizes pressure or influence exerted on the person.

goad him into

Implies persistent encouragement, often with a teasing or challenging tone.

tempt him to

Focuses on enticing or alluring someone to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "provoke him to" in a sentence?

You can use "provoke him to" to describe an action that instigates a reaction, often negative, in someone. For example: "His insults provoked him to anger."

What's a less aggressive alternative to "provoke him to"?

Depending on the context, you could use "encourage him to", "motivate him to", or "prompt him to" as softer alternatives.

Is there a difference between "provoke him to" and "incite him to"?

"Provoke him to" generally suggests instigating a reaction, while "incite him to" implies urging someone towards a more specific and often negative action, such as violence or rebellion.

When is it inappropriate to use "provoke him to"?

It would be inappropriate to use "provoke him to" in situations where the intent is positive or helpful. For instance, you wouldn't say "I provoked him to study harder" if you meant you encouraged him.