provoke questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"provoke questions" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something causes people to ask questions. For example, "The strange behavior of the politician provoked many questions from the press."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But strange price movements have begun to provoke questions.

The Economist

These shows provoke questions, debate, argument and thought.

The Guardian - Arts

Other revelations in the book provoke questions about David Cameron's memory.

Independent

Some exhibits provoke questions about human nature while others capture him having absurd fun.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stendhal is one of those figures who provoke questions apparently far from a cause.

The Guardian - Books

That way, its rich anecdotes provoke questions, answers, definitions, recollections and more anecdotes, including dog stories.

The New York Times - Books

Both apps may provoke questions from Android owners about missing features.

The Guardian - Tech

And they wanted to live the mantra "Never forget" with something that would constantly provoke questions and conversation.

The New York Times

But she also intends for the piece to provoke questions about our attitudes toward commitment and marriage equality.

The Washington Post

Our results provoke questions about whether financial incentives boost publication productivity, and whether policy-makers should place greater emphasis on other factors relevant to high productivity.

Research Policy

Stephen B. Mischo, the panel moderator and since Monday the incoming chapter president, had to prod repeatedly to provoke questions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoke questions" when you want to suggest that something stimulates thought and inquiry, often in response to unexpected or controversial information.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences passively when using "provoke questions". Instead of saying "Questions were provoked by the study", opt for the active voice: "The study provoked questions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke questions" functions as a verb phrase, where "provoke" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("questions"). As Ludwig indicates, it suggests that something causes or stimulates questions to arise. Examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provoke questions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the act of causing or stimulating questions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application. Its usage spans across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "raise questions" and "prompt questions" exist, "provoke questions" carries a nuance of stimulation and initiation of inquiry, making it a versatile choice for writers seeking to express the act of causing questions to arise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise questions

This alternative uses a more common verb, "raise", maintaining a high degree of interchangeability.

prompt questions

This alternative uses "prompt" to suggest a more immediate or direct cause for the questions.

elicit questions

This alternative emphasizes drawing out questions that already exist implicitly.

spark questions

This alternative implies a sudden or energetic beginning of questioning.

give rise to questions

This alternative is a more formal and somewhat indirect way of saying "provoke questions".

instigate inquiries

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary, shifting the tone and register.

generate questions

This alternative emphasizes the creation or production of questions.

stimulate questioning

This alternative focuses on the process of questioning rather than the questions themselves.

invite questions

This alternative suggests a more open and welcoming approach to questioning.

lead to inquiries

This alternative focuses on the consequence or result of something causing questions.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke questions" to indicate that something causes people to ask questions or to inquire further. For example, "The politician's controversial statement provoked many questions from the media".

What are some alternatives to "provoke questions"?

Some alternatives include "raise questions", "prompt questions", or "elicit questions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "provoke questions" or "raise questions"?

Both "provoke questions" and "raise questions" are correct and commonly used. "Provoke" suggests a more forceful or stimulating effect, while "raise" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "provoke questions" and "incite questions"?

"Provoke questions" implies stimulating inquiry, while "incite questions" suggests stirring up more heated or agitated questioning, potentially with an intent to cause conflict or debate. The former is neutral, the latter is negative.