might be triggered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might be triggered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to cause a reaction or response, often in a psychological or emotional context. Example: "Certain memories might be triggered by the smell of that perfume."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some researchers think this immune attack might be triggered by an infection, drug or something else in the environment.

Harvard University

When her son turned 13, specialists told her his odd behaviour might be triggered by teenage hormones.

The Guardian

It's a question of probability, not certainty – an underlying predisposition, as it were, that might be triggered by unpredictable events.

The Guardian

"The US faces the prospect of an institutional failure, which might be triggered by a growing mass of real-life problems".

The Guardian

According to our findings, CNP::EGFP hypomyelination might be triggered by the cellular stress induced by the high level of EGFP expression in mature OLG.

Experimental Neurology

Delivery systems that incorporate these materials might be triggered externally by the patient, parent or physician to provide flexible control of dose magnitude and timing.

Clinical Therapeutics

Unlike the pipeline lateral stability on the horizontal seabed, an initial lateral-soil-resistance is developed and the static-instability might be triggered for the sloping seabed.

Ocean Engineering

If a majority of the board is replaced, the poison-pill severance package might be triggered.

TechCrunch

Thus, some circRNAs could have translation potential, which might be triggered under certain conditions.

Protein & Cell

Manifestation of the damage might be triggered by a small (e.g. blunt) trauma.

Insights into Imaging

Thus, some researches built pre-malfunction sets of lines where protection hidden failures might be triggered.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "might be triggered", ensure the context clearly identifies the potential cause or trigger. This provides clarity and strengthens the connection between the trigger and the resulting action or state.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "might be triggered" as it can sometimes obscure who or what is responsible for the action. Consider rephrasing to use active voice for a more direct and impactful statement when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be triggered" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has the potential to be activated or initiated. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

37%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "might be triggered" is a versatile passive verb phrase used to express the potential for something to be activated or initiated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news. While its frequency is high, effective writing involves understanding its nuances and choosing alternative expressions, such as "could be activated" or "may be initiated", to fine-tune the message. Being mindful of passive voice usage is crucial for direct and impactful communication. Mastering this phrase involves not only understanding its meaning but also its subtle implications and appropriate usage in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be activated

Emphasizes the potential for activation, suggesting a slightly higher likelihood than "might".

may be initiated

Focuses on the beginning or start of something, highlighting the initiation aspect.

could be set off

Implies a sudden or abrupt activation, similar to a chain reaction.

might be provoked

Highlights the idea of something being intentionally caused or incited.

may be sparked

Suggests a sudden and energetic beginning or ignition.

could be prompted

Implies that something is encouraged or motivated to occur.

might be elicited

Focuses on drawing out a response or reaction from something.

may be touched off

Similar to "set off", but with a sense of delicacy or sensitivity.

could be unleashed

Implies a release of pent-up energy or force.

might be incited

Emphasizes the deliberate encouragement of an action or feeling, often negative.

FAQs

What does "might be triggered" mean?

The phrase "might be triggered" indicates that something has the potential to be activated or initiated by a particular stimulus or event. It suggests a possibility, not a certainty.

What can I say instead of "might be triggered"?

You can use alternatives like "could be activated", "may be initiated", or "could be set off" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "might be triggered" or "could be triggered"?

Both "might be triggered" and "could be triggered" are grammatically correct and express possibility. "Could" often suggests a slightly higher degree of likelihood than "might".

How to use "might be triggered" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "An allergic reaction "might be triggered" by certain foods." The phrase indicates a potential cause-and-effect relationship.