provoke into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'provoke into' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe when someone is coerced or forced to do something. Example sentence: His comments provoked her into a heated argument.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Later that day, on the famed Laguna Seca track in Salinas, the car's American flavor — loud, rude and easy to provoke into tail slides — seemed even more pronounced.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was not lured into it, provoked into it.

The New York Times

"He could be provoked into saying almost anything.

The New York Times

Pyongyang has refused to apologize, saying it was provoked into firing.

The New York Times

But he was provoked into open war with Mr Patten by his very hatred of confrontation.

The Economist

And when California voters passed Proposition 8 outlawing gay marriage, I was provoked into fury.

The New York Times - Books

Their expectation is that Mr. Hussein will be provoked into blocking an inspection.

The New York Times

The mayor, who has refused to personalize politics, has resisted being provoked into battle.

The New York Times

Otto, a foreman in a furniture factory that soon will be turned over to making coffins, is provoked into resistance.

The Guardian - Books

He clearly felt provoked into the assault, but he had not intent to cause injury or damage".

The Guardian - Sport

On Monday, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, a moderate Muslim leader, condemned the attack on the Christian school and called on Kashmiris not to be provoked into violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke into" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has been intentionally stimulated or incited to a particular action or emotional state, often with a negative connotation.

Common error

While "provoke into" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "induce to" or "motivate to" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "provoke into" functions as a causative verb, indicating that someone or something incites or stimulates another person or entity to a specific action or emotional state. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "provoke into" serves as a causative verb, indicating that someone or something incites a reaction in another. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English. While versatile, it's usage should be considered in the context of a specific situation. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, with neutral formality. Although, as seen from the related phrases, there are many alternatives that provide a richer vocabulary for academic purposes. Overall, "provoke into" is a functional phrase that highlights the instigation of actions or emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incite to

Focuses on stirring up strong emotions or actions, often negative.

goad into

Implies persistent urging or taunting until someone takes action.

prompt to

Suggests a more gentle encouragement or reason to do something.

drive to

Highlights the force or pressure that compels someone to act.

lure into

Involves enticing or tempting someone, often with a deceptive purpose.

induce to

Suggests persuading or influencing someone to do something.

motivate to

Focuses on providing a reason or incentive to take action.

push to

Implies applying pressure to encourage someone to do something.

stimulate to

Highlights the action of a stimulus.

persuade to

Suggests convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke into" to show that someone or something caused a reaction. For instance, "The article's inflammatory language provoked many readers into writing angry responses."

What can I say instead of "provoke into"?

You can use alternatives like "incite to", "goad into", or "prompt to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "provoke into" or "provoke to"?

"Provoke into" is generally considered the correct phrasing when indicating someone or something is induced or incited to a particular action or emotional state. "Provoke to" is less common and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "provoke into" and "lead to"?

"Provoke into" implies intentional incitement or instigation leading to a specific action or state, often negative. "Lead to", on the other hand, simply indicates a causal relationship without necessarily implying intent or incitement.