provoke reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

'provoke reaction' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something has caused a response in another person or a group. For example: "The announcement of the new tax law provoked a strong reaction from many citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The demagogues of the world, after all, derive power solely from their ability to provoke reaction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, a lot of photographers took that message and got highly aggressive in the streets, trying to provoke reaction.

The New Yorker

It is just that too much international cooperation has been too technocratic, too deracinated, tending to provoke reaction not partnership.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's very interesting that digital doesn't seem to provoke reaction when it is reshaping all we do so fundamentally.

The Guardian

"The demagogues of the world, after all, derive power solely from their ability to provoke reaction," he writes.

The Economist

Paul Dacre's rare public appearance at the Leveson inquiry yesterday was bound to provoke reaction, both for him and against him.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

This film continues to provoke reactions for its unapologetic portrayal of life without hope or trust.

The Guardian - Books

For the moment, let's leave aside the opportunism of artists who seem to provoke reactions.

The New York Times - Arts

What seems trivial may provoke reactions from mild irritation to acute horror.

The New York Times

"We seek to provoke reactions in the spectator's personal world view.

The New York Times

The moustache can provoke reactions that seem a bit extreme considering it's mostly limited real-estate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoke reaction", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or statement is causing the response. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke reaction" when the response is mild or insignificant. Reserve this phrase for situations where the reaction is notable and substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke reaction" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of causing or instigating a response. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, as evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke reaction" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the act of causing a response through a specific action or statement. While not exceedingly common, it finds consistent application across varied domains, particularly in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using "provoke reaction", it's crucial to ensure the intensity of the reaction aligns with the context. Alternatives such as "elicit a response" or "trigger a reaction" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the desired emphasis. This analysis underscores the phrase's utility in describing cause-and-effect relationships across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger a reaction

This alternative uses "trigger" instead of "provoke", implying a causal effect leading to a response.

prompt a response

This alternative uses "prompt" which implies encouraging or causing a response.

elicit a response

This alternative replaces "provoke" with "elicit", suggesting the drawing out of a response.

induce a response

This alternative replaces "provoke" with "induce", suggesting a gentle persuasion of a response.

spark a response

This alternative uses "spark" which implies initiating sudden interest to a response.

stir up a response

This alternative uses "stir up" instead of "provoke", implying an instigation of a response.

draw a response

This alternative uses "draw" instead of "provoke", suggesting to invite a response.

generate a response

This alternative uses "generate" instead of "provoke", focusing on the creation of a response.

instigate a response

This alternative uses "instigate" which implies starting or causing a response, often negative.

incite a reaction

This alternative uses "incite" which implies a more forceful encouragement of a response, often negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke reaction" to describe how an action, statement, or event causes a response. For example, "The controversial policy is likely to "provoke reaction" from the public".

What can I say instead of "provoke reaction"?

You can use alternatives like "elicit a response", "trigger a reaction", or "stir up a response" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "provoke a reaction" or "elicit a reaction"?

Both "provoke a reaction" and "elicit a reaction" are grammatically correct, but "provoke" often implies a stronger or more negative response, while "elicit" suggests a more neutral or informative drawing out of a response.

What's the difference between "provoke reaction" and "stimulate response"?

"Provoke reaction" suggests causing a potentially strong or adverse response, while "stimulate response" implies encouraging or arousing a more measured or positive response.