under the instigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the instigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are prompted or encouraged by someone else, often with a negative connotation. Example: "He acted under the instigation of his peers, leading to poor decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This much has been confirmed by a Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing, who said monks from "some temples" had carried out an illegal activity on March 10th "under the instigation and encouragement of a small group of people".

The Economist

Shortly afterward, an uprising broke out in Egypt under the instigation of a rich merchant, who, like a great part of the population, was a partisan of the Palmyrene queen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Galswintha and Chilperic were married at Rouen in 567, but soon afterward she died under suspicious circumstances, apparently at the instigation of Chilperic's mistress Fredegund, who then married him.

Britannica

British South Africa Company (BSAC, BSACO, or BSA Company), mercantile company based in London that was incorporated in October 1889 under a royal charter at the instigation of Cecil Rhodes, with the object of acquiring and exercising commercial and administrative rights in south-central Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Did you ever hear that Polish prisoners of war, officers, were shot at some time or other in the Katyn forest at the instigation of Regiment 537 under Colonel Bedenck or under Colonel Ahrens?

Yale University

Employee's work on and contributions to the Works will be rendered and made by Employee for, at the instigation of, and under the overall direction of, Company, and all such work and contributions, together with the Works, are and at all times shall be regarded, as "work made for hire" as that term is used in the United States Copyright Laws.

Forbes

A Royal Commission under Justice Mitchell, set up at the instigation of the Liberals, investigated the matter.

Wikipedia

Furthermore, it is typically asymptomatic and under-diagnosed; this has resulted in escalating calls for the instigation of Primary Care PAD screening via Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) measurement.

BMC Family Practice

On May 14 I was arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act - on suspicion of the "instigation, preparation and commission of acts of terrorism": an absurdly nebulous formulation that told me nothing about the sin I had apparently committed.

The Guardian - Opinion

1370?), possibly at the instigation of the philosopher Hasdai Crescas, and a second time under the title Ha-Emunah Nissa'ah by Samuel ibn Motot.

SEP

(b) Reopening may be at the instigation of any party.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under the instigation" consider the potential negative connotations. It often implies that the action taken was ill-advised or morally questionable. Ensure this aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "under the instigation" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "at the urging of" or "at the prompting of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the instigation" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the reason or cause behind an action. Ludwig's examples illustrate how it connects an event to its motivating factor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the instigation" is a grammatically correct way to describe actions prompted by external influence. While Ludwig AI marks it as usable in English, it's crucial to be mindful of its potentially negative connotations. The phrase appears across various authoritative sources like news outlets, encyclopedias, and academic texts, indicating its versatility. Consider related phrases such as "at the urging of" or "at the prompting of" to diversify your writing and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the urging of

Focuses on persuasive encouragement.

at the prompting of

Highlights a more direct initiation of action.

at the behest of

Implies a command or authoritative request.

at the direction of

Emphasizes control and guidance.

under the influence of

Suggests a broader impact beyond a single action.

on someone's advice

Highlights reliance on counsel or suggestions.

inspired by

Implies a creative or motivational stimulus.

due to someone's encouragement

Emphasizes the positive aspect of giving someone confidence to do something.

pushed by

Suggests pressure or coercion.

goaded by

Highlights persistent prodding or incitement.

FAQs

How can I use "under the instigation" in a sentence?

You can use "under the instigation" to show that someone's actions were influenced or prompted by another person or group. For example, "The protest occurred under the instigation of local activists".

What is a synonym for "under the instigation"?

A synonym for "under the instigation" is "at the urging of". Both phrases indicate that an action was prompted or encouraged by someone else.

What does "instigation" mean?

"Instigation" refers to the action of initiating or provoking something, often something negative. Using the phrase highlights the role of a catalyst or initiator.

Is it better to use "under the instigation of" or "at the instigation of"?

Both "under the instigation of" and "at the instigation of" are grammatically correct. "At the instigation of" might be slightly more common, but the choice often depends on stylistic preference.