would have instigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have instigated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past where an action could have caused something to happen. Example: "If the committee had approved the proposal, it would have instigated significant changes in the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

businesses would have instigated a major backlash against the government, Mr. Schrimani said in an interview.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I've run into O'Reilly many times in public — at Yankee Stadium as recently as a month ago — and never have instigated, and never would dream of instigating, something like that," he wrote.

The New York Times

Globally, young people have instigated revolutionary movements before.

The New Yorker

Mr. Moro said Mr. Edwards had told him that Mr. Santiago could have instigated the attacks.

The New York Times

By Caleb Crain Boston merchants may have instigated early unrest to protect smuggling profits.

The New Yorker

Palestinians have instigated more of it, and they have suffered more from it.

The New Yorker

"I should not have instigated it!" he wrote on Facebook. .

Huffington Post

Interestingly, an undergraduate radiology project and obtaining career advice specific to radiology are experiences that would have been instigated by the trainee and who therefore presumably already had some interest in the specialty.

BMC Medical Education

His lawyer, Robert Asher, would not say whether he had instigated the latest investigation of Dr. Arbit.

The New York Times

South Sudan's Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC that the rebels would have to acknowledge that they had instigated a coup attempt.

BBC

Equally, over the previous few years I'd heard that the Spanish federation had instigated a system which inculcated personal values, training values, playing values and attempted to turn out homogenised international footballers in a manner which was similar to the acclaimed system at FC Barcelona.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have instigated" to describe a hypothetical past scenario where a specific action led to a particular outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates the unrealized nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "would have instigated" when referring to a present or future action. The phrase specifically refers to a past hypothetical situation. Using "will instigate" or "would instigate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have instigated" functions as a modal verb construction, indicating a hypothetical action in the past that did not actually occur. It suggests a potential cause-and-effect relationship that was never realized. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would have instigated" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a hypothetical scenario in the past where a specific action would have initiated a particular event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in various contexts like news, science, and general discussions. To effectively use this phrase, remember that it always refers to past hypothetical situations and implies that the action did not actually happen. Alternatives like "would have initiated" or "would have triggered" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of tense usage to avoid common errors, ensuring your writing remains clear and accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would have initiated

Replaces "instigated" with a synonym that emphasizes the beginning of an action or process.

would have triggered

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship, where the action would have set off a chain of events.

would have set off

Similar to "triggered", emphasizing the beginning of a series of events.

would have prompted

Indicates that the action would have encouraged or motivated something to happen.

would have sparked

Implies a sudden or energetic beginning, like igniting a flame.

would have brought about

Indicates that the action would have caused something to occur or exist.

would have provoked

Suggests that the action would have elicited a response, possibly negative.

would have incited

Suggests a more intense level of instigation, potentially leading to conflict or unrest.

would have given rise to

More formal and emphasizes the creation or emergence of something as a result.

would have been the catalyst for

Highlights the action as the cause of change or reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "would have instigated" in a sentence?

Use "would have instigated" to describe a past hypothetical scenario where an action would have caused something to happen. For example, "If the company had invested more in research, it "would have instigated" significant innovation."

What's a synonym for "would have instigated"?

Alternatives include "would have initiated", "would have triggered", or "would have prompted". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "would have instigated" and "would instigate"?

"Would have instigated" refers to a hypothetical action in the past that did not occur, while "would instigate" refers to a hypothetical action in the future or present. For example, "If they had known, they "would have instigated" changes" (past). "If they knew, they "would instigate" changes" (present/future).

Is "would of instigated" grammatically correct?

No, "would of instigated" is incorrect. The correct form is "would have instigated". "Of" is often mistakenly used in place of "have" after modal verbs like "would", "could", and "should".