stoking conjecture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stoking conjecture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of fueling or intensifying speculation or theories about a particular topic. Example: "The recent events have been stoking conjecture about the company's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

About half the population is under the age of thirty, and this has stoked excited conjecture in the international business media about Indonesia's "demographic dividend".

The New Yorker

Fears have also been stoked by pundits conjecturing that the vote for Brexit (and its impact on the markets) may be a preview of the U.S. Presidential election and its fallout.

Forbes

The sudden disappearance of Confucius, which took place under cover of darkness early Thursday morning, has stoked outrage among the philosopher's descendants, glee among devoted Maoists and much conjecture among analysts who seek to decipher the intricacies of the Chinese leadership's decisions.

The New York Times

Abundance conjecture.

Harvard University

That's conjecture.

The New Yorker

Again, pure conjecture.

The New Yorker

That's not simply conjecture.

The Washington Post

This isn't scaremongering conjecture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why? "Because it's conjecture.

The Guardian - Music

But it's all conjecture.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this was idle conjecture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stoking conjecture" when you want to emphasize the act of actively encouraging or intensifying existing speculation, particularly in situations where the speculation might be seen as negative or harmful.

Common error

Avoid using "stoking conjecture" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral phrase like "stimulating debate" or "prompting further investigation" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stoking conjecture" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. It describes the action of actively encouraging or intensifying speculation. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stoking conjecture" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of actively encouraging or intensifying speculation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its relatively rare usage suggests it should be employed thoughtfully. It is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases include ""fueling speculation"" and "inciting speculation", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "stoking conjecture", be mindful of the context and consider whether a more neutral or formal alternative might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoking conjecture

Emphasizes causing conjecture as a response.

heightening conjecture

Implies increasing the intensity or prominence of existing conjecture.

inciting speculation

Highlights the act of prompting or urging speculation.

fueling speculation

Focuses on providing substance to existing speculation, rather than initiating it.

fanning the flames of speculation

Highlights the idea of intensifying existing speculation.

inflaming speculation

Suggests intensifying the level or degree of existing speculation, often with negative connotations.

igniting rumors

Implies the start of unfounded information being spread.

stirring up theories

Emphasizes the active creation and debate of theories.

boosting speculation

Suggests giving a positive impetus or encouragement to the act of speculating.

breeding assumptions

Suggests a more passive development of unconfirmed ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "stoking conjecture" in a sentence?

You can use "stoking conjecture" to describe situations where something is actively causing speculation to increase. For example, "The politician's vague statement was "fueling speculation" about his future plans."

What are some alternatives to "stoking conjecture"?

Alternatives to "stoking conjecture" include ""fueling speculation"", "inciting speculation", or "provoking conjecture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "stoking conjecture" or "fueling speculation"?

Both "stoking conjecture" and ""fueling speculation"" are acceptable, but "stoking conjecture" might imply a more active or deliberate effort to increase speculation, while ""fueling speculation"" can be a more neutral description.

What's the difference between "stoking conjecture" and "making assumptions"?

"Stoking conjecture" implies actively encouraging speculation or theorizing, while "making assumptions" refers to forming beliefs or ideas without sufficient evidence. "Stoking conjecture" is about promoting discussion of possibilities, while "making assumptions" is about drawing conclusions.