this provokes the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"this provokes the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a rhetorical question that is expected to be answered soon after. For example, "The President's tax plan has been met with widespread criticism. This provokes the question: is the plan fair for all citizens?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This provokes the question as to how DA can influence dorsal hippocampal function at all.

Cerebral Cortex

This provokes the question as to whether the gene duplication resulting in the efhd1 gene provided an evolutionary advantage.

Cell Communication and Signaling

This provokes the question, should we be fussy about the sites we choose to include in a genomic-scale phylogenetic analysis?

Genome Biology and Evolution

This provokes the question of whether ATAC would have persisted with the combination arm had data from IMPACT been available before its initiation.

Breast Cancer Research

Given the importance of mGlu receptors and in particular mGlu5 for persistent synaptic plasticity, this provokes the question as to whether mGlu5 plays a role in place field formation and/or stability.

Hippocampus

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This provokes the questions, where the nuclear localization signal (NLS) in axoN1 and the nuclear export sequence (NES) in the deleted 78aa fragment are localized.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

This provoked the question of how Christie enticed and entrapped his victims.

Historical Journal

This paper provokes the question of whether open-source virtual environments can indeed provide the appropriate venue to do so, leveraging application programming interfaces and a modular approach to packaging the overall framework that encourages the progressive integration of data, tools and models from the community.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

This fact provokes the question: Are CS and IT more suitable to gamification than the other subjects?

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

This statement provokes the question on the nature of the inverse dose rate effects observed for differential transcript expression at the (very) low absorbed doses from α-radiation observed in this study.

EJNMMI Research

This commentary provokes the question of whether a powerful woman can be viewed as feminine - and for that matter, what exactly femininity is; a question that is still asked frequently today, centuries after Shakespeare laid down his pen.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this provokes the question" to smoothly transition from a statement of fact or observation to a relevant inquiry. It adds a layer of analytical depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "this provokes the question" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in those settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "this makes me wonder" or "this raises a point".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this provokes the question" serves as a transitional device, primarily used to introduce a relevant question that logically follows from a previous statement or observation. Ludwig AI confirms its use as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for further inquiry.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this provokes the question" is a useful phrase for introducing relevant inquiries, especially in formal writing. It's grammatically sound but leans towards formal contexts, as supported by Ludwig AI, making it less suitable for casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "this raises the question" to maintain a professional yet clear tone. This phrase is most frequently observed in science-related contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig. Overall, its proper use can significantly enhance the analytical depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this raises the question

Replaces "provokes" with "raises", focusing on bringing the question to attention.

this begs the question

Uses "begs" to indicate the question is an obvious or unavoidable one.

this leads to the question

Emphasizes the sequential relationship between the statement and the question.

this prompts the question

Highlights the role of the statement in stimulating the question.

this gives rise to the question

Focuses on the origination of the question from the preceding information.

this invites the question

Suggests the statement makes the question a natural or expected response.

this suggests the question

Indicates the statement hints at or implies the need for the question.

this necessitates the question

Implies the statement makes the question essential or unavoidable.

this creates the question

Emphasizes the creation or formation of the question as a result of the statement.

this engenders the question

Highlights the generating or causing of the question by the preceding statement.

FAQs

How can I use "this provokes the question" in a sentence?

Use "this provokes the question" to introduce an inquiry that logically follows from a statement or observation. For example, "The study showed a correlation between screen time and sleep quality. This provokes the question: is there a causal relationship?". Note the colon introducing the actual question.

What can I say instead of "this provokes the question"?

You can use alternatives like "this raises the question", "this leads to the question", or "this begs the question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each of these alternatives slightly shifts the emphasis of how the question arises.

Which is correct: "this provokes a question" or "this provokes the question"?

"This provokes the question" is generally preferred because it implies a specific, relevant question is being raised. "This provokes a question" is grammatically correct but less precise.

What's the difference between "this begs the question" and "this provokes the question"?

"This begs the question" often implies that the question is already inherent in the preceding statement, sometimes suggesting a circular argument. "This provokes the question" simply means the statement leads to or inspires the question.