which could provoke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which could provoke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential reactions or consequences that may arise from a certain action or situation. Example: "The controversial article contained several statements which could provoke strong reactions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Therefore, it is important that they are selective for the intended site and that the doses used do not have effects on other sites, which could provoke adverse reactions.

Medicina Clínica

As a result, "if you're not winning, you're losing," he said on "Meet the Press". "We cannot let this country go into the abyss" of civil war, which could provoke intervention by Iran and Turkey and decades of regional conflict.

The Washington Post

On Wednesday, the government is expected to table amendments relating to devolved powers, which could provoke a significant revolt in early May when it is due to come to a vote.

The Guardian

AMC's new menu, while including higher-grade ingredients (all-beef hot dogs, for instance) and some healthier options, leans away from low-fat, froufrou choices and hard into indulgence, which could provoke the obesity police.

The New York Times

Makovsky cautioned that the right wing in Netanyahu's government may view the Trump position on settlements as an open invitation for settlement expansion, which could provoke a clash if the Trump administration wants to resume the peace process.

The Washington Post

Among the most calamitous of possibilities is an Iraqi strike on Israel either by missile or by orchestrated terrorism, which could provoke a ghastly escalation.In the end, victory may prove difficult to define.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But let's not forget the 20% who said they weren't sure which candidate could provoke an apocalyptic war.

The Guardian

Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas holiday now approaches, which this year could provoke a shake-out for all retailers but, like last Christmas, hit Internet retailers especially hard.Unknown and overseas: A slowdown in the sale of technology products, such as PCs and mobile telephones, would have a ripple effect across the electronics industry.

The Economist

The trial of a prominent dissident, which could well provoke further unrest, has just begun.

The Economist

There is widespread concern that the violence will further inflame existing divisions in Iraq, which could easily provoke similar ethnic or religious schisms in neighboring states.

The New York Times

Micro and macrofauna analysis and DRS data of the siliciclastic fraction show slight but significant environmental changes occurring just after the tsunami, which could be provoked by an eventual closure of the estuary mouth.

Marine Geology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which could provoke", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what action or situation is doing the provoking. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple clauses with "which could provoke" as this can lead to convoluted and difficult-to-read sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for improved readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which could provoke" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun or noun phrase. It introduces a potential outcome or reaction that may result from the action or situation being described. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which could provoke" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that serves to highlight potential consequences or reactions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and indicates its prevalent use in news and media, science, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is doing the provoking. Related phrases like ""that might trigger"" or "that is likely to trigger" can be used to achieve similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. Overusing such clauses in complex sentences should be avoided to maintain readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that might trigger

Replaces "could provoke" with "might trigger", suggesting a possible initiation of a reaction.

that may instigate

Substitutes "could provoke" with "may instigate", highlighting the potential for initiating a specific action or event.

that might generate

Replaces "could provoke" with "might generate", indicating a possible creation or production of a result.

which has the potential to incite

Expands "could provoke" to "has the potential to incite", emphasizing capability and stirring up.

that is liable to spark

Replaces "could provoke" with "is liable to spark", suggesting a high likelihood of initiating a sudden burst or conflict.

that is likely to trigger

Replaces "could provoke" with "is likely to trigger", implying a higher probability of causing something to start.

with the capacity to elicit

Replaces "could provoke" with "with the capacity to elicit", focusing on drawing out a response.

that threatens to generate

Changes "could provoke" to "threatens to generate", highlighting a potential negative outcome.

that is apt to cause

Substitutes "could provoke" with "is apt to cause", indicating a natural tendency to produce a particular effect.

potentially resulting in

Expresses the consequence of provocation by mentioning the potential result.

FAQs

How can I use "which could provoke" in a sentence?

Use "which could provoke" to introduce a potential consequence or reaction resulting from a specific action or situation. For example, "The new policy includes several clauses "that might trigger" strong opposition."

What are some alternatives to saying "which could provoke"?

You can use phrases like ""that might trigger"", "that may instigate", or "that is likely to trigger" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "which could provoke" or "that could provoke"?

Both "which could provoke" and "that could provoke" are grammatically correct. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses, adding extra information, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses, essential for defining the noun. Choose based on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which could provoke" and "which is likely to provoke"?

"Which could provoke" suggests a possibility, while "which is likely to provoke" indicates a higher probability. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey regarding the potential reaction.