may have triggered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have triggered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that something possibly caused a reaction or event, often in a speculative context. Example: "The sudden change in temperature may have triggered the system's alarm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ever since, concern has risen that the vaccine may have triggered an epidemic of cancer (Science, 10 May, p. 1012).

Science Magazine

It may have triggered Cruise's long, slow fall from grace.

The Guardian - Film

But if Tomlinson had died of a heart attack, the shove may have triggered it.

The Guardian

One incident above all may have triggered the latest attacks on Navalny.

The Guardian

Some people believe this may have triggered Visit London going into administration.

The Guardian

Enormous volcanic eruptions may have triggered the worst extinction in Earth's history.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

By some accounts, it may have triggered the Watergate break-in that brought down Richard Nixon.

The Washington Post

Commentators have said that Senator Paul's isolationist policies may have triggered his defeat in the polls.

Independent

Indeed, it may have triggered the nebula's collapse into a star.

The Economist

Now Russia's war in Georgia may have triggered a new cycle of repression and resistance.

The Economist

It is thought those remarks may have triggered scenes of violence that have shocked the nation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may have triggered", ensure that the context clearly indicates the speculative nature of the causal relationship. Avoid stating it as a definitive cause without sufficient evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "may have triggered" when stronger evidence suggests a definite cause. Opt for phrases like "definitely caused" or "directly resulted in" when the causal link is more established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have triggered" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or speculation regarding causation. Ludwig AI shows it's frequently used to suggest a potential cause-and-effect relationship without asserting it as a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may have triggered" is a versatile linguistic tool for expressing a potential cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While indicating a possible trigger, it avoids asserting a definitive cause, making it ideal for speculative or investigative discussions. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies the speculative nature and avoid overstating the certainty of the causal link. Alternatives like "could have initiated" or "might have caused" offer similar nuances. When greater certainty exists, opting for stronger causal language is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have initiated

Expresses a possibility of causation, similar to the original phrase, but uses different verbs.

might have caused

Indicates a possible cause, with a slightly weaker sense of certainty.

potentially sparked

Suggests a more sudden or energetic beginning.

could have resulted in

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of the possible cause.

possibly led to

Implies a sequence of events where the phrase initiated a chain reaction.

may have contributed to

Indicates a partial cause, suggesting other factors were also involved.

played a role in

Highlights the influence of the phrase without directly stating causation.

is believed to have started

Introduces an element of belief or opinion regarding the cause.

has been linked to

Suggests a correlation or association between two events.

conceivably set off

Indicates a potential start to a sequence of events or a reaction.

FAQs

How do I use "may have triggered" in a sentence?

Use "may have triggered" to suggest a possible, but not certain, cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "The new policy "may have triggered" a wave of resignations."

What can I say instead of "may have triggered"?

You can use alternatives like "could have initiated", "might have caused", or "potentially sparked" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may have triggered" or "triggered"?

"Triggered" implies a definite cause, while ""may have triggered"" suggests a possibility. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence supporting the causal link.

What's the difference between "may have triggered" and "definitely caused"?

"May have triggered" indicates a possibility or speculation about a cause. "Definitely caused" asserts a confirmed causal relationship.