ignite

USAGE SUMMARY

"ignite" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to start or initiate a fire or to cause an emotion, feeling or action to start or become active. Example sentence: She used her inspirational speech to ignite a passion for change in the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even Tuesday night's first live television debate on the TV3 station did not excite or ignite.

The Guardian

Your queer submissiveness allowed Assad to kill fathers like Fadi Haddad in order to ignite a civil war".

The Guardian

Previously it had attempted to ignite a sectarian war by bombing packed churches.

The Guardian

But in 21st-century France, where notions of belonging and identity are so visibly alive with antagonisms, a football manager can easily ignite a media firestorm with a few badly chosen words.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Apple Watch is the catalyst to ignite the global smartwatch market," said Neil Mawston of research firm Strategy Analytics, which is predicting that Apple will ship 15.4m Apple Watches by the end of 2015.

The Guardian - Tech

We don't even need to ignite it.

The Guardian

Investors rushed to buy the precious metal on expectations that the Federal Reserve may say tomorrow that it will print more money in order to ignite the slowly recovering US economy.

The Guardian - Business

But the sect has tried to ignite a sectarian war in the religiously mixed, central city, including through a series of church bombs on Christmas Day 2011.

The Guardian

Click here to watch A stool, lots of dry ice and some filthy lyrics about surfboards: all this year's Grammys show needed to ignite was the king and queen of modern music, who performed Drunk in Love.

The Guardian - Music

The scripts for these segments often failed to ignite, but the joy was watching Stewart struggle to operate Gitmo in split-screen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Related: Dutch student protests ignite movement against management of universities What's happening?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignite" when you want to emphasize the act of setting something on fire or sparking a strong emotion or reaction. Ensure the context aligns with the intensity the word implies.

Common error

Avoid using "ignite" when a simpler word like 'start' or 'begin' would suffice. Overusing "ignite" can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ignite" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of setting something on fire or sparking off an intense feeling or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ignite" is a versatile verb used to describe both the physical act of setting something on fire and the metaphorical act of sparking an emotion or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application across various contexts. While "ignite" is grammatically sound and frequently used, writers should be mindful of its intensity and avoid overusing it in contexts where a milder verb would be more appropriate. Related terms like "spark", "kindle", and "trigger" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. The high frequency and diverse sources, including The Guardian and The Economist, underscore its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark

Focuses on initiating a sudden burst of activity or emotion.

kindle

Suggests a gentle, nurturing start to a flame or feeling.

trigger

Emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship of initiating something, often a reaction.

inflame

Highlights the intensification of an existing feeling or situation.

arouse

Specifically refers to evoking feelings or desires.

provoke

Suggests deliberately causing a reaction, often negative.

set off

Implies initiating a series of events or a process.

activate

Focuses on making something functional or operational.

initiate

A formal term for starting or beginning something.

stir up

Suggests agitating or disturbing a situation to cause a reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "ignite" in a sentence?

You can use "ignite" to describe setting something on fire, as in, "The match will /s/ignite the paper" or to describe sparking an emotion or feeling, as in, "The speaker hoped to /s/ignite passion in the audience".

What are some synonyms for "ignite"?

Alternatives to "ignite" include "spark", "kindle", "inflame", and "trigger" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "ignite a conversation"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable. "Ignite a conversation" means to start a conversation with energy and enthusiasm, making it lively and engaging, similarly to "spark a conversation".

What is the difference between "ignite" and "trigger"?

"Ignite" suggests setting something on fire or a sudden burst of emotion, while "trigger" implies causing a specific reaction or initiating a chain of events. "Ignite" often carries a stronger sense of intensity and passion.