igniting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "igniting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the present participle form of the verb "ignite", meaning to set something on fire or to start something burning. You can use the word "igniting" in any situation where something is being set on fire or starting to burn. For example: - The flammable liquid quickly spread, igniting everything in its path. - The sparks from the campfire were igniting the dry leaves on the ground. - The match was having trouble igniting, so he tried a different one. - The fireworks display was spectacular, with bright colors igniting the night sky.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

One teargas grenade thrown back by a protester landed on a pile of litter beside a library, igniting a small fire.

The Guardian

The wind on 7 February was so strong that embers from the main front were igniting spot fires 35km away.

The Guardian

Pelé starred for the North American Soccer League club for three seasons, igniting a US soccer boom that is still being felt today.

The Guardian - Sport

Citizens from minorities are already being targeted and scapegoated without igniting a national uproar.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a letter to the Observer, the Labour leaders of Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle city councils claimed the cuts were igniting "forces of social unrest", warning of "rising crime, increasing community tension and more problems on our streets" if they were not reversed.

The Guardian

This makes the economy more vulnerable to a hard landing.India cannot grow as fast as China without igniting inflation because of its lower investment rate, particularly in infrastructure, and labour bottlenecks.

The Economist

Silently, fervently, Mr Means saluted him.His own God-given sovereignty blazed inside him, igniting the Indian-rights movement he led for several decades.

The Economist

In 2000 his son lost to John McCain, igniting an internal Republican revolt that was only stopped by dark deeds in South Carolina.Now the state has a chance to determine whether President Bush can push his ambitious legislative agenda through Congress.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

For a secular country, which this year marks the centenary of the law that separates religion and the state, France's official reaction to the pope's death has again raised questions about the place of religion in public life".We are at risk of re-igniting the war of religion in France," declared Arnaud Montebourg, a Socialist deputy.

The Economist

This makes recent declines in the proportion of long-term unemployed particularly noteworthy.The most important success under both the Conservatives and Labour is that unemployment has fallen without re-igniting wage inflation.

The Economist

But ambition-igniting murals display the ladder of opportunity that leads from the grill to the corner office (McDonald's chief executives have always started at the bottom).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "igniting" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys the sense of initiating or triggering something, rather than just literal combustion.

Common error

While "igniting" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise verbs like "initiating", "triggering", or "stimulating" might be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "igniting" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb form (e.g., "was igniting") or as a gerund functioning as a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable form. The example from Ludwig of 'The flammable liquid quickly spread, igniting everything in its path' showcases this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "igniting" functions as a present participle, denoting an action in progress, whether literal or metaphorical. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and versatile, evidenced by its prevalence across diverse contexts. Predominantly, "igniting" finds use in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Science", while remaining absent from certain other categories. When employing "igniting", especially in writing, it's crucial to ensure that the intended context aligns with initiating or triggering something, potentially opting for more precise alternatives like "triggering" or "initiating" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

setting fire to

Replaces the -ing form with a gerund phrase, emphasizing the action of starting a fire.

setting ablaze

Emphasizes the act of causing something to burn intensely.

sparking off

Suggests triggering or initiating, often used metaphorically.

kindling

Uses a noun form related to starting a fire.

fuelling

Suggests providing the energy or impetus for something to continue or intensify.

triggering

Focuses on the initiation of a process or event, broader than just fire.

starting

A more general term for beginning or initiating something.

provoking

Emphasizes causing a reaction or response.

inciting

Implies stirring up or provoking, often in the context of emotions or actions.

instigating

Highlights the act of initiating an action or event, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "igniting" in a sentence?

"Igniting" is the present participle of the verb "ignite", meaning to set fire to or to start something. You can use it to describe a process of starting a fire or, metaphorically, to describe the act of initiating something, like "igniting a debate".

What are some alternatives to "igniting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "sparking off", "triggering", "setting fire to", or "fuelling".

Is it correct to use "igniting" in a formal context?

Yes, it can be correct. However, consider whether a more precise or formal verb like "initiating", "stimulating", or "provoking" might be more appropriate for the specific context.

What's the difference between "igniting" and "inciting"?

"Igniting" refers to starting a fire or, metaphorically, initiating a process or event. "Inciting" implies stirring up or provoking a specific reaction, often negative, such as "inciting a riot".