stirred up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stirred up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where emotions or feelings have been agitated or excited, often in a negative context. Example: "The news of the scandal stirred up a lot of controversy among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She gets stirred up!

The Guardian

That has stirred up old factional feelings.

The Economist

The project has also stirred up animosity.

The New York Times

He has stirred up prejudice.

The New Yorker

The interview stirred up more strong feelings.

The New York Times

The consignment has stirred up some controversy.

The New York Times - Arts

Once again it stirred up trouble.

The New York Times

The film has stirred up deep emotions.

The New York Times

The letters stirred up their own tempest.

The New York Times

They brawled, cursed and stirred up trouble.

The New York Times - Sports

"We stirred up this hornet's nest".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stirred up" when you want to convey that something has caused a strong emotional reaction or has created a disturbance.

Common error

While "stirred up" is widely understood, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "provoked" or "instigated" in certain professional or academic writing. Consider your audience and the desired tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "stirred up" functions as a dynamic verb phrase indicating an action that causes a change or disturbance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stirred up" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe the act of provoking a reaction or disturbance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it may be less suitable for highly formal writing. Alternative phrases such as "provoked" or "incited" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of the register and audience when choosing to use "stirred up" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whipped up

Emphasizes the act of arousing or exciting feelings or opinions.

provoked

Single word alternative that focuses on causing a reaction or emotion.

touched off

Implies initiating a sudden or intense event or reaction.

sparked

Suggests initiating or triggering something, like an event or feeling.

incited

Implies urging or prompting to act, often in a negative way.

instigated

Suggests initiating an action or event, often with planning or intention.

generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something, such as interest or controversy.

fueled

Highlights the action of intensifying or encouraging something, like a conflict.

fomented

Indicates instigating or promoting discord or trouble.

brought about

Focuses on causing something to happen or exist.

FAQs

How can I use "stirred up" in a sentence?

You can use "stirred up" to describe a situation where something has caused strong emotions or a disturbance, for example: "The controversy "stirred up" a lot of debate."

What can I say instead of "stirred up"?

You can use alternatives like "provoked", "incited", or "sparked" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "stirred up emotions"?

Yes, "stirred up emotions" is a common and correct usage. It means that something has caused strong feelings to arise.

What's the difference between "stirred up" and "created"?

"Stirred up" implies a pre-existing state that has been agitated or disturbed, whereas "created" means something entirely new has been brought into existence.