provoke issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or events that lead to problems or complications. Example: "The new policy changes may provoke issues among the staff regarding workload and responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence, the transferability of this study might be limited; however, the quotes cited in this study are very important in terms of whether they raise thought-provoking issues such as that healthcare systems should consider how to maximise women's potential to increase the numbers of women in leadership positions.

BMJ Open

Another thought-provoking issue is the widespread phenomenon of allelic bias in gene expression.

Epigenetics

Overweight in children was further perceived as a consequence of their parent's lifestyle and their awareness of the problem, which was considered by the CHC-nurses as a sensitive and a provoking issue.

BMC Family Practice

Drilling process provokes several issues, including localized thermal shock, caused by the presence of abrasive and extremely hard fibres and the low thermal conductivity of composite, which restricts the heat dissipation.

Composite Structures

The victim of this crime asked to be anonymous, out of fear of provoking further issues or attention.

Vice

Questioning the price of art is not very popular practice among art collectors and NUMBERS hopes to provoke the issue of overstatements of the art auction world.

Vice

"1984 draws a lot of those more political themes out and the way that artists can really provoke discussion about issues that matter," Ridge says.

The Guardian

The Church of England's rows over such issues provoke mystification, which threatens to turn into outright hostility.

The Economist

She is well aware that these issues provoke strong feelings, and she avoids controversial questions whenever possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's set in "the near future" when, apparently, people have even schmancier phones and zippier minicars and wonderfully helpful caregiving robots, but dementia remains incurable and elder care issues provoke as much family tension as ever.

The New York Times

Few global issues provoke a more emotional debate than that of genetically engineered crops, which contain transplanted genes from other species to make them easier to grow or more nutritious or flavorful.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and directness, consider replacing "provoke issues" with simpler alternatives like "cause problems" or "create challenges."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "provoke issues" can sound less impactful than more direct alternatives. In formal writing, opt for stronger verbs like "generate", "instigate", or "exacerbate" to convey the specific nature of the issue being caused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke issues" functions as a verb + noun phrase, where "provoke" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of causing or giving rise to, and "issues" serves as the direct object, referring to problems or matters of concern. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke issues" is a grammatically correct but infrequent way to describe causing problems or difficulties. Ludwig AI indicates that is usable in English. While understandable, it may benefit from being replaced with more common alternatives like "cause problems" or "create challenges" for increased clarity and impact. The phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for various contexts, although more direct language might be preferred in formal writing. Overall, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey when deciding whether to use "provoke issues" or a more readily accessible substitute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause problems

This alternative directly replaces "provoke issues" with a more common and straightforward expression.

create challenges

This phrase substitutes "provoke" with "create" and "issues" with "challenges", emphasizing the difficulty aspect.

instigate difficulties

This option uses more formal vocabulary, with "instigate" replacing "provoke" and "difficulties" for "issues".

trigger problems

This alternative focuses on the act of initiating or setting off issues.

generate controversies

This phrase highlights the potential for public disagreement or debate.

raise questions

This suggests the action leads to further inquiry and examination.

give rise to problems

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "cause problems."

stir up trouble

This option is more informal and implies a deliberate attempt to cause problems.

lead to complications

This phrase focuses on the resulting complexity and entanglement.

ignite debate

This alternative emphasizes the starting of a discussion, especially a heated one.

FAQs

What does "provoke issues" mean?

The phrase "provoke issues" means to cause or give rise to problems, difficulties, or matters of concern. It suggests that an action or situation leads to the emergence of specific issues that need to be addressed.

What can I say instead of "provoke issues"?

You can use alternatives like "cause problems", "create challenges", or "trigger problems" depending on the context.

Is "provoke issues" formal or informal?

"Provoke issues" is neither strictly formal nor informal, but it tends to appear more frequently in neutral to slightly formal contexts. Using simpler alternatives can often enhance clarity.

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

You can use "provoke issues" in a sentence by describing actions or events that lead to problems. For example: "The new policy changes may provoke issues among the staff regarding workload and responsibilities."