sparked

USAGE SUMMARY

'sparked' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that something has caused something else to start or happen. For example, "The news of their engagement sparked a flurry of excitement among their family and friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sister of Troy Davis, the man whose execution a year ago amid substantial evidence that he was innocent sparked protests across the US and the world, has vowed to keep on fighting until the death penalty is ended "one state at a time".

The Guardian

Resentment is often sparked by the variation in the policing of the rules rather than the law per se – with many complaining that the rich are unaffected by fines that can cripple poorer households.

The Guardian

A spike in the numbers of immigrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing from Libya has sparked alarm in Europe, particularly after about 800 people drowned in a Mediterranean shipwreck last month.

The Guardian

O'Malley sparked a little more enthusiasm from the crowd of 250, with the kind of stirring, populist speech that hinted at comparisons he might want made with the current president.

The Guardian

Thoughts of reform should focus on the young When George Osborne told the 400,000 people who retire every year with an annuity that they could now do whatever they liked with the money, it immediately sparked concerns about a renewed buy-to-let boom.

The Guardian - Money

The protests were sparked in November when Yanukovych shelved an agreement with the EU and turned towards Russia.

The Guardian

The 2013 presidential vote, which resulted in the re-election of Serzh Sargsyan, also sparked mass protests.

The Guardian

Falling to the third- from second-largest party in the Catalan parliament, the Socialists have voiced frustration that high unemployment and unpopular spending cuts have not been prominent in campaigning, although across Spain they have sparked massive street protests and, on 14 November, the country's second general strike this year.

The Guardian

The finance ministry has sparked howls of protest proposing that mass development be allowed along the country's coast, still among the most pristine in Europe.

The Guardian

A parallel government crisis, tangentially related to the euro, sparked early elections and another change of regime in Slovenia.

The Guardian - Business

That sparked a campaigning community whose legacy will last long after Page 3 is forgotten.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sparked", ensure the subject clearly identifies what initiated the action or event. For example, "The announcement sparked a debate" clearly shows the announcement as the cause.

Common error

Avoid using "sparked" when the cause is unclear or ambiguous. For instance, instead of saying "Controversy sparked", specify what triggered the controversy to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sparked" is as the past tense of the verb 'spark', indicating the action of initiating or triggering something. Ludwig shows numerous examples of "sparked" used to describe the commencement of events, debates, and reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sparked" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to indicate that something has initiated or triggered a subsequent action or event. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage implies a neutral to professional register. When using "sparked", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the cause and effect relationship. As supported by numerous examples in Ludwig, it is essential to ensure the subject clearly identifies what initiated the action or event to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered

Indicates a more immediate and direct causation; implies a chain reaction.

initiated

Suggests a formal start or beginning of something.

prompted

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or motivating an action.

instigated

Implies a more deliberate or forceful starting of something, often negative.

generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something as a result.

caused

A general term for something bringing about an effect or result.

ignited

Implies a sudden burst of activity or strong emotion.

provoked

Suggests a reaction elicited intentionally or unintentionally.

set off

Indicates the activation of a device or a series of events.

touched off

Suggests a gentle initiation, like a catalyst for change.

FAQs

How to use "sparked" in a sentence?

Use "sparked" to indicate that something has triggered or initiated an event or reaction. For example, "The new policy "sparked a debate" among the employees".

What can I say instead of "sparked"?

You can use alternatives like "triggered", "initiated", or "prompted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sparked a debate" or "sparked to debate"?

"Sparked a debate" is the correct phrasing. "Sparked to debate" is grammatically incorrect. The verb "spark" takes a direct object, which is the event or action that was initiated.

What's the difference between "sparked" and "caused"?

"Sparked" implies a sudden or energetic beginning, whereas "caused" is a more general term for bringing about an effect. For example, "The scandal "sparked public outrage"", suggesting a swift and intense reaction. "The scandal caused the company's stock to drop" indicates a direct result.