provoked objections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoked objections" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or action that has caused people to express disagreement or disapproval. Example: "The new policy changes provoked objections from several members of the community who felt their voices were not being heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(Even "Kung Fu Panda" provoked objections by some Chinese, who saw the lead character as profaning a nationally revered animal).

The New York Times

The program, the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, known as Capps 2, has provoked objections from privacy advocates, because it involves the use of commercial databases.

The New York Times

The new policy stems from a detective's recruitment of students, for a $20 fee, near Uniondale High School in March, which provoked objections from parents, school officials and a county legislator.

The New York Times

In an effort to inject some color into the gray goings-on this year, the Social Democrats appealed to the 385,000 expected new voters with a promotional video portraying a young couple in bed with titillating copy about the "first time". The ad provoked objections and was pulled.

The New York Times

In place of a hunting season, which provoked objections from the public, the council asked state officials to increase their efforts to teach people how to live with the bears, whose behavior elicited 647 complaints from residents and campers last year, Mr. McDowell said.

The New York Times

Mr. Pope, who is black, provoked objections on Capitol Hill in 1996 when word got around that he would use his $20,000 endowment grant to walk around New York City wearing a 14-foot-long white cardboard penis as a commentary on "the supremacy of white phalluses".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Any toughening of police powers to deal with terrorism seems to provoke objections in Karlsruhe.

The Economist

He has kept his word, though not without provoking objections from more traditional German critics and concertgoers.

The New York Times

Although employers are reluctant to make changes that might provoke objections from workers in a tight labor market, many companies are considering an eventual shift to so-called defined contribution plans.

The New York Times

Trump had pledged during the presidential campaign to move it to Jerusalem, a move almost certain to provoke objections from Muslims around the world.

Huffington Post

This provoked some objections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provoked objections" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or event led directly to expressions of disagreement or disapproval. It's useful when highlighting cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid using "provoked objections" excessively in passive constructions (e.g., "Objections were provoked..."). Opt for active voice to make your writing more direct and impactful (e.g., "The decision provoked objections...").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoked objections" typically functions as a verb phrase, where "provoked" acts as the main verb indicating the action of causing a reaction, and "objections" serves as the direct object, representing the expressions of disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provoked objections" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a situation where an action or decision has led to expressions of disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and appropriate in various contexts. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using "provoked objections", it's essential to consider the strength of the reaction you want to convey and whether a stronger or weaker alternative might be more suitable. Avoid overuse in passive voice to maintain a direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered disapproval

This alternative uses a more active verb to emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship between the action and the resulting disapproval.

sparked controversy

This phrase highlights the contentious nature of the situation, suggesting widespread disagreement and public debate.

incited opposition

This alternative implies a more forceful and direct instigation of resistance or disagreement.

aroused dissent

This phrase is slightly more formal and emphasizes the expression of differing opinions or disagreement.

met with resistance

This alternative focuses on the response to an action, indicating that it encountered opposition.

faced opposition

This phrase is similar to "met with resistance" but emphasizes the confrontation with opposing forces.

drew criticism

This alternative indicates that something attracted negative feedback or disapproval.

generated complaints

This phrase suggests that an action resulted in formal expressions of dissatisfaction or grievances.

raised concerns

This alternative is less strong, suggesting that something caused worry or unease without necessarily resulting in strong opposition.

invited protest

This phrase indicates that something encouraged or gave rise to public demonstrations of disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "provoked objections" in a sentence?

The phrase "provoked objections" is used to indicate that a particular action or decision caused people to express their disapproval or disagreement. For example, "The new policy changes "provoked objections" from several members of the community".

What are some alternatives to saying "provoked objections"?

You can use alternatives like "triggered disapproval", "sparked controversy", or "incited opposition" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "provoked objections" or "raised concerns"?

"Provoked objections" implies a stronger reaction of disagreement than "raised concerns". Use "provoked objections" when there's clear opposition, and "raised concerns" when there's more of a worry or unease.

What kind of actions are likely to have "provoked objections"?

Actions that often "provoked objections" include policy changes, controversial statements, or decisions that negatively affect a group of people or violate established norms.