a triggering factor

USAGE SUMMARY

"a triggering factor" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something which causes an event or reaction. For example: "Lack of sleep was a triggering factor in her emotional breakdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Autoimmune initiation may be a triggering factor.

The Egyptian Heart Journal

Although wildfires are considered a triggering factor, the characteristics of plant residues and soil properties may contribute to the development of soil WR.

Geoderma

However, substantial lag (>5 ka) of some sackungen in respect to glacier retreat implies complex relationships between sackung onset and deglaciation where retreat of glaciers acted predominantly as a preparatory, not a triggering factor during the genesis of these slope deformations.

Quaternary Science Reviews

The evidence in last Friday's jobs report, that wages are up 2.9percentt, appears to have been a triggering factor, insofar as it pushed "speculation" that the combination of a heated economy, modest inflation and recent tax cuts would soon force the Federal Reserve to raise its interest rate target more quickly, which in turn might end the party just as it is getting started.

The Washington Post

TBDs may present acute clinical pictures that resemble those of autoimmune diseases (i.e., musculoskeletal symptoms, cutaneous involvement, neurologic impairment, renal failure, etc)., and in some cases infection is considered a triggering factor for autoimmunity (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid disease, vasculitides).

Journal of Autoimmunity

In our study, we designed experiments to examine the role of tissue factor (TF), which is highly expressed at the level of mRNA and localized to the cell surface of cultured MSCs, as a triggering factor in the procoagulative cascade activated by infused MSCs.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Multiple recent studies have specifically implicated P. gingivalis, a periodontopathic bacterium, as a possible triggering factor.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Earthquakes are a major triggering factor of landslides, and earthquake-induced landslides pose a major threat to infrastructure and human life.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

High motivation to change is a crucial triggering factor to patients' engagement in clinical treatment.

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging

Earthquakes are a major triggering factor of landslides.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Water-infiltration is a significant triggering factor for slope failures around the world.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a triggering factor", ensure that the context clearly establishes the relationship between the factor and the event it triggers. Be specific about the nature of the trigger and its effects to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a triggering factor" without specifying what it triggers. Saying something 'is a triggering factor' without further context can leave the reader wondering about the consequences or reactions initiated by the factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a triggering factor" functions as a noun phrase, identifying something that initiates or activates a particular event or reaction. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a triggering factor" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that identifies a cause or initiator of a particular event. As per Ludwig, it's considered a valid and usable phrase. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to explain cause-and-effect relationships. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure contextual clarity when using it. Alternatives such as "a causative agent" or "an initiating event" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. When overgeneralizing the trigger, specify what is being triggered by "a triggering factor".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a causative agent

Emphasizes the role of the factor as a direct cause.

an initiating event

Focuses on the factor as the starting point of a sequence of events.

a contributing element

Highlights the factor's role in contributing to a larger outcome.

a precipitating event

Suggests that the factor hastens or accelerates a process.

a catalyst

Implies that the factor accelerates a reaction or change without being consumed itself.

an underlying cause

Highlights a deeper, less obvious reason behind an event.

a primary driver

Suggests the factor is a major force behind a specific outcome.

a critical component

Emphasizes the essential nature of the factor in a process.

a starting point

Indicates that the factor is the initial stage or phase of something.

a key determinant

Highlights that the factor plays a significant role in deciding an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a triggering factor" in a sentence?

You can use "a triggering factor" to indicate something that initiates a process or event. For example, "Stress can be a triggering factor for migraines."

What's the difference between "a triggering factor" and "a contributing factor"?

"A triggering factor" implies a more direct initiation of an event, whereas "a contributing factor" suggests a less direct influence or addition to other causes.

Is it better to use "a triggering factor" or "a causative agent"?

The choice depends on the context. "A triggering factor" is more general, while "a causative agent" implies a more direct and primary role in causing an event, especially in scientific or medical contexts.

What are some common examples of "a triggering factor"?

Common examples include stress as a triggering factor for anxiety, certain foods as a triggering factor for allergic reactions, or specific events as a triggering factor for PTSD.