provokes curiosity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provokes curiosity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about something that creates an inquisitive interest in a person. For example, "The mysterious new mural at the corner of the street has been provoking curiosity among the locals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The multiplicity of events provokes curiosity.

The New York Times - Arts

Reading stories together provokes curiosity and discussion, which can be useful when talking to children about disability.

The Guardian

The film is dated in manner and vision, but for all its flaws, it still has an effect: It dramatically captures many of the colonial era's issues, provides a sense of the period and reasons to pay attention to it, and provokes curiosity.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Your ethnicity may provoke curiosity or even mild hostility.

Harvard University

They have the power to provoke curiosity and the desire to come to deeper understandings.

Harvard University

Others provoked curiosity, such as a tape labelled "Phil Lesh at College of San Mateo 1956-1960".

The New Yorker

I design, develop, and study interactive systems that leave room for the user to be challenged in order to provoke curiosity and enchantment with the everyday.

University of California, Berkeley

David Delgado is a visual strategist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratoryy (JPL), where he develops experiences that provoke curiosity through a mix of science and imagination.

University of California, Berkeley

Great teaching is about provoking curiosity among our students, and then using that innate inquisitiveness to drive learning in a discipline.

The Washington Post

The prospect of a Trump at one of these elite universities has provoked curiosity, envy and debate on law school blogs and forums.

The Washington Post

Like it or not, the colour of his skin as much as the size of his talent is what will provoke curiosity here and drag formula one into the mainstream.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "provoke curiosity", consider the specific emotion you want to elicit. For instance, framing information as a puzzle or mystery can effectively engage the audience's inquisitiveness.

Common error

While appropriate in many scenarios, avoid using "provokes curiosity" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more nuanced verbs like 'stimulates' or 'engenders' might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provokes curiosity" functions primarily as a verb phrase where 'provokes' is the transitive verb and 'curiosity' is the direct object. It expresses the action of causing or stimulating interest or inquisitiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provokes curiosity" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe something that stimulates inquisitiveness. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and appropriateness across various professional contexts, especially in news, academia, and science. While not overly formal, more precise synonyms might be preferred in specific high-register situations. The phrase effectively conveys the act of instigating interest, making it useful for highlighting the stimulating quality of various subjects and ideas. Related phrases like "sparks interest" or "stimulates interest" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piques interest

Emphasizes arousing inquisitiveness in a somewhat playful or intriguing way.

arouses interest

Focuses on awakening or stirring up an existing, but perhaps dormant, sense of inquisitiveness.

stimulates interest

Highlights the act of actively encouraging or arousing inquisitiveness.

generates interest

Suggests actively creating or producing inquisitiveness where it may not have existed.

sparks interest

Focuses on initiating a sudden, often fleeting, sense of intrigue.

kindles interest

Highlights a gentle but sustained encouragement of inquisitiveness.

ignites curiosity

Conveys a sense of intensely stimulating inquisitiveness, like setting something alight.

prompts exploration

Suggests initiating an action toward something.

fosters inquisitiveness

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of inquisitiveness over time.

invites exploration

Emphasizes making something appealing for further investigation or discovery.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "provokes curiosity"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "sparks interest", "stimulates interest", or "piques interest".

How can I use "provokes curiosity" in a sentence?

You can use "provokes curiosity" to describe something that generates an inquisitive interest. For example, "The artist's ambiguous symbolism provokes curiosity about the painting's true meaning."

Is "provokes curiosity" formal or informal?

"Provokes curiosity" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal settings, consider using more nuanced alternatives like 'stimulates' or 'engenders'.

What is the difference between "provokes curiosity" and "arouses curiosity"?

"Provokes curiosity" suggests initiating an interest, while "arouses interest" implies awakening an existing, but perhaps dormant, inquisitiveness.