he triggered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he triggered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone causing a strong emotional reaction or response in another person, often related to past trauma or sensitive topics. Example: "When he mentioned the accident, he triggered a flood of memories that she had tried to forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then he triggered the laptop's strong and dissonant digital tones.

The New York Times - Arts

Two of Keynes's opinions did foreshadow the theoretical revolution he triggered in the 1930s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was not the first time he triggered a storm of criticism.

The Guardian

He triggered their first three scoring spurts Sunday night in the first, second and fourth innings.

The New York Times - Sports

By proposing cuts for people on the verge of retirement, he triggered vehement protests.

The New York Times - Magazine

And the shutdown he is offering to end is something he triggered as well.

The Washington Post

In June he triggered what became known as "Mitregate" by welcoming Katharine Jefferts Schori, the first Anglican woman primate.

Independent

Two that he triggered – Our Country's Good and Light Shining in Buckinghamshire – are in Rufus Norris's first National Theatre season.

The Guardian

These creatures are the bioengineered new people a young scientist created just before he triggered the plague that would wipe out the human race.

The New York Times - Books

On the other hand, he clearly bears a strong responsibility in the fact that he triggered animosity against the Muslims, dividing the French people.

Independent

A propaganda chief who'd parachuted in from Beijing had meddled so crudely with a routine editorial that he triggered a revolt among editors and reporters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he triggered" to denote a clear cause-and-effect relationship where someone's action immediately leads to a significant event or reaction. It's more impactful than simply saying 'he caused'.

Common error

Avoid using "he triggered" in contexts where the action only mildly influences an outcome. The term implies a strong, often immediate, and noticeable effect, not a subtle nudge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he triggered" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "he" is the subject and "triggered" is the verb taking a direct object. It indicates that the subject's action directly initiated or caused something. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts confirming its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he triggered" is a versatile and widely used phrase for establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, care should be taken to ensure that the intensity of the term aligns with the context, avoiding its use for trivial or subtle influences. Consider alternatives like "he initiated" or "he brought about" for nuanced meanings. Understanding the nuances of "he triggered" ensures more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he initiated

Focuses on the starting action, often in a formal or procedural context.

he sparked off

Suggests a sudden and often unintended beginning of something, like a conflict or reaction.

he set in motion

Implies a sequence of events that were started by his action.

he brought about

Indicates a direct causal relationship between his actions and the result.

he gave rise to

Similar to 'brought about' but often used for more abstract consequences.

he instigated

Often carries a negative connotation, implying incitement or provocation.

he prompted

Suggests an action that encourages or leads to a certain response or event.

he caused

A general term for creating a result, less specific than "triggered".

he elicited

Focuses on drawing out a response or reaction from someone or something.

he generated

Implies the creation or production of something as a result of his actions.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said that "he triggered" something?

It typically means his action or statement directly caused or initiated a particular event, reaction, or process. The phrase emphasizes the immediate and noticeable impact of his actions.

What can I say instead of "he triggered"?

You can use alternatives like "he initiated", "he sparked off", or "he brought about" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "he triggered" in formal writing?

Yes, it's acceptable in formal writing, especially when emphasizing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. However, consider the specific context and audience; alternatives like "he initiated" might be more suitable in some cases.

What's the difference between "he triggered" and "he caused"?

"He triggered" often implies a more immediate and pronounced effect than "he caused". While "he caused" can refer to a gradual or indirect influence, "he triggered" suggests a more direct and immediate initiation of an event or reaction.