[Vocabulary] phrasal verbs

dilodi83 said:

The film ........................(to spark off - to bring about) a lively discussion in the class.

In this sentence don't you think it could be possible to use both of them with a very small difference in meaning?

1) If I say "to spark off", it could mean that the discussion arises all of a sudden.
2) If I say "to bring about", it could mean that the discussion arises little by little and after a while it becomes lively...

What's your opinion?

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billmcd said:

It depends on what you want it to mean.

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dilodi83 said:

Yes, of course, but are the shades of meaning I have pointed out correct?

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Bennevis said:

"to spark off" is better, when it comes to discussions, debates. You bring about changes, mostly.

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