that could trigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that could trigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has the potential to cause a reaction or event, often in a cautionary context. Example: "Certain chemicals in the environment are known to have properties that could trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The obvious mechanism that could trigger dilation is heat.

Nature

It said any amount beyond that could trigger rating downgrades.

The New York Times

Later, avoid bad posture and other habits that could trigger another neck pain crisis.

Harvard University

Engineers should consider possible future construction activities that could trigger lowering of the groundwater level.

Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

" No, a very important, global incident that could trigger world war three," says teacher.

The Guardian - Film

If it started selling dollars, that could trigger a panic that would send the dollar plummeting.

The New York Times

With an instalment due in a few weeks, that could trigger a default.

Independent

The two groups have launched a petition that could trigger a debate in parliament on the issue.

The Guardian

He added that local authorities were continuing to monitor rising rivers and saturated soil that could trigger additional landslides.

The Guardian

King argued complicated regulation was not a substitute for limits on banking activities that could trigger a collapse.

The Guardian - Business

Obama's political advisers dread any issue that could trigger a culture war and diminish his support among independent voters.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that could trigger", ensure the subject clearly identifies the potential cause, and the rest of the sentence clearly articulates the potential outcome. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad or vague subjects with "that could trigger". For example, instead of saying "Things that could trigger a response…", specify what 'things' you are referring to in order to provide more clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that could trigger" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating potential causation. It introduces a condition or action with the possibility of initiating a specific result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in diverse contexts to express potential cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that could trigger" is a versatile tool for expressing potential causation across various domains. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent use in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", signaling its appropriateness for both formal and informal registers. When employing "that could trigger", precision in specifying the subject and potential outcome is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "that could unleash" or "that could provoke" offer nuanced ways to convey initiation, while avoiding overly vague subjects strengthens the message. With its ability to spotlight potential cause-and-effect, mastering "that could trigger" enhances both informative and cautionary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could unleash

Emphasizes a forceful or uncontrolled release of something.

that could provoke

Highlights the act of deliberately inciting a reaction.

that could activate

Focuses on starting a process or system.

that could start

A general term for initiating an event or process.

that could wreak

Implies causing significant damage or destruction.

that could ignite

Suggests setting off something suddenly and intensely.

that could elicit

Emphasizes drawing out a response or reaction.

that could detonate

Implies a sudden and explosive initiation.

that could precipitate

Highlights the act of bringing something about prematurely or suddenly.

that could spark

Suggests initiating something, often in a less intense or more figurative way.

FAQs

How can I use "that could trigger" in a sentence?

Use "that could trigger" to indicate a potential cause-and-effect relationship. For instance, "Certain environmental factors are known "that could trigger" allergic reactions in susceptible individuals."

What are some alternatives to "that could trigger"?

You can use alternatives like "that could unleash", "that could provoke", or "that could activate" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "that may cause" or "that could trigger"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "that could trigger" often implies a more immediate or direct cause-and-effect relationship. "That may cause" is generally broader and indicates a possibility rather than a likely outcome.

What's the difference between "that could trigger" and "that could lead to"?

"That could trigger" suggests a more direct and immediate initiation of an event, while "that could lead to" implies a sequence of events or a process unfolding over time. The former is more abrupt, the latter is gradual.