set off a fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set off a fire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to starting a fire, or when describing an event that caused a fire to start (for example, the explosion of a match or a spark from an electrical short-circuit). For example, "A careless smoker set off a fire in the factory".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

There, it exploded and set off a fire that destroyed the house.

The New York Times

Video footage released by the Jordanian military showed some of the strikes, including one that set off a fire ball.

Independent

The celebration of booze also ensures plenty of hilarious after-dinner anecdotes too, like when Tony Adams set off a fire extinguisher, or the time Stan Collymore set off a fire extinguisher.

The Guardian - Sport

The explosion set off a fire in the south wing of the building, ABS-CBN television reported.

The New York Times

Jones was the headgirl of her school; Corden was suspended for trying to set off a fire alarm.

The Guardian

And just in time for an outdoor demonstration on Monday, someone set off a fire alarm, sending hundreds of people out onto the plaza.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

At one point, someone interrupted the proceedings by setting off a fire alarm.

The New York Times

If a large financial firm becomes unstable, regulators often worry that it will dump its assets, setting off a fire sale.

The New York Times

police helicopter bombing an almost identical house & setting off a fire that took 11 lives & destroyed 61 houses on Osage & on Pine Street.

The New Yorker

The power company said Wednesday that "steam escaped during a maintenance operation," setting off a fire alarm, and that the incident had been quickly brought under control.

The New York Times

Preliminary reports have offered the theory that as the plane raced down the runway, it hit a metal strip that ruptured a tire and sent debris hurtling toward a fuel tank, setting off a fire and a fuel leak.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set off a fire" when you want to describe how an action or event triggered the start of a fire. For example, "The lightning strike set off a fire in the forest."

Common error

Avoid using "set off a fire" when describing the fire itself, instead of the cause. For example, don't say "The fire set off a lot of smoke"; instead, use "The fire caused a lot of smoke".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set off a fire" primarily functions as a phrasal verb indicating the commencement or causation of a fire. As noted by Ludwig, it's used to describe how an action or event triggers the start of a fire.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set off a fire" is a phrasal verb used to describe the action of initiating a fire, often unintentionally. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Academic contexts. While alternatives like "start a fire" or "cause a fire" exist, "set off a fire" often carries a nuance of accidental causation. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly indicates the action or event that triggered the fire, rather than describing the fire itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a fire

Emphasizes the act of causing a fire to begin.

start a fire

Focuses on the commencement of a fire.

ignite a fire

Highlights the process of initiating combustion.

spark a fire

Suggests a small beginning leading to a larger fire.

trigger a fire

Indicates an event that initiates a fire.

incite a fire

Implies a deliberate act of starting a fire.

initiate a blaze

More formal and emphasizes the intensity of the fire.

provoke a fire

Suggests an action that leads to an unintended fire.

create a fire

Highlights the act of bringing a fire into existence.

generate a fire

Emphasizes the production or origination of a fire.

FAQs

How can I use "set off a fire" in a sentence?

Use "set off a fire" to describe an action or event that initiated a fire. For instance, "The explosion "set off a fire" in the building".

What are some alternatives to "set off a fire"?

You can use phrases like "cause a fire", "start a fire", or "ignite a fire" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "The arsonist "started a fire"".

Is "set off a fire" formal or informal?

"Set off a fire" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly found in news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

What's the difference between "set off a fire" and "start a fire"?

While similar, "set off a fire" often implies an unintentional or accidental cause, whereas "start a fire" can be more neutral. Consider the context: "The electrical fault "set off a fire"", versus "He "started a fire" in the fireplace".