can potentially trigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can potentially trigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that may cause a reaction or event to occur, often in contexts related to health, behavior, or technology. Example: "Certain allergens can potentially trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Surgical procedures such as implant insertion and potential complications such as periimplantitis are associated with an inflammatory condition and can potentially trigger a BP-ONJ.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Such conditions can potentially trigger double-diffusive instabilities and fundamentally affect the convective features.

Journal of Computational Physics

And the older age of the father can potentially trigger health problems in a child, too.

The Washington Post

Liposuction, the study authors concluded, can potentially "trigger a compensatory increase of visceral fat, which is effectively counteracted by physical activity".

The New York Times

Environmental stimulation is physical, social, and/or sensory stimulation present in the environment that can potentially trigger individuals' emotion or motivate physical reactions.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Repayment of loans from policy values (other than death proceeds) can potentially trigger a significant tax liability, and there may be little or no cash value remaining in the policy to pay the tax.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The homepage features an alphabetical listing of diseases and conditions ranging from abnormal sperm to Wilm's tumor that can potentially be triggered by exposure to environmental chemicals.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Noncanonical replication can potentially be triggered in differentiated somatic cells causing cell dedifferentiation and transformation, but not pluripotency because, the embryo- and cancer-specific profiles of FL-L1 RNAs are established under the influence of different factors.

Biology Direct

Any medication may potentially trigger anaphylaxis.

Wikipedia

The five "P's" of powerful weather, pandemic, political instability, port closures, and primary sourcing can easily cause disruption, potentially triggering a cascading effect for millions.

Huffington Post

Even if the prime minister's four-year programme is voted down and the government collapses, Cavaco Silva could in principle opt to leave him in place at the head of a caretaker government with limited powers until fresh elections can be held next June – potentially triggering a full-blown political crisis.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can potentially trigger" when you want to express the possibility of an action or event leading to a specific outcome, without stating it as a certainty. For instance, "Certain environmental factors can potentially trigger allergic reactions."

Common error

Avoid using "can potentially trigger" when a direct cause-and-effect relationship is known and verifiable. Instead of saying "High stress can potentially trigger anxiety", opt for "High stress triggers anxiety" if the connection is well-established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can potentially trigger" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the possibility of initiating or causing an action or event. Ludwig AI shows examples across different domains like science, news, and business, suggesting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can potentially trigger" is a versatile expression used to indicate a possible cause-and-effect relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. While it is frequently employed in formal settings, it maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for objective discussions about potential risks and outcomes. Remember to use this phrase when you want to express a possibility rather than a certainty, and be mindful of avoiding overstatements in situations where a direct causal link is well-established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may initiate

Replaces "can" with "may" and "trigger" with "initiate", suggesting a possibility of starting something.

could activate

Substitutes "trigger" with "activate", focusing on the action of setting something in motion.

might provoke

Replaces "trigger" with "provoke", implying a stronger reaction or instigation.

can possibly spark

Emphasizes the potential for a sudden or energetic beginning using "spark".

may give rise to

Offers a more formal and indirect way of expressing causation.

could set off

Suggests a chain reaction or series of events being started.

might lead to

Focuses on the consequential aspect, emphasizing that something may result from a prior action.

can bring about

Highlights the act of causing something to happen or exist.

may instigate

Implies a deliberate action of starting or provoking an event.

could be a catalyst for

Positions the subject as an agent that accelerates or enables a process.

FAQs

How can I use "can potentially trigger" in a sentence?

Use "can potentially trigger" to indicate a possibility of something initiating a reaction or event. Example: "Exposure to certain chemicals "can potentially trigger" health problems."

What are some alternatives to "can potentially trigger"?

Alternatives include "may initiate", "could activate", or "might provoke" depending on the context. These options provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "can potentially trigger"?

It is appropriate when discussing a possible, but not definite, cause-and-effect relationship. It's useful in scientific, medical, or technical contexts where outcomes are probabilistic rather than certain.

Is there a difference between "can potentially trigger" and "will trigger"?

Yes. "Can potentially trigger" suggests a possibility, while "will trigger" implies certainty. The former is used when discussing risks or possibilities, and the latter when describing a guaranteed outcome.