that initiates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that initiates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that starts or triggers a process or action. Example: "The new policy that initiates changes in the workflow will take effect next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What remains a mystery is the mechanism that initiates biases in the strength of visual representations.

Stanford University

"But I don't know if that initiates anything".

The New York Times - Sports

The one awkward, sometimes upsetting talk that initiates you into adulthood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The differentiation process requires the addition of a cocktail that initiates the adsipogenic transcriptional cascade.

Nature

BIR is a one-ended recombination event that initiates a replication fork (Figure 1).

Nature

Many disease processes activate a cellular stress response that initiates a cascade of inflammation and damage.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics

A genuinely sustainable society is one that initiates developments in sustainable ways.

Journal of Environmental Management

A surprise attack that initiates a war thus activates the morality by which it is governed.

The New York Times

In lepidopterans, a peptide that initiates diapause has been isolated from the subesophageal ganglion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It also revealed that the process that initiates biodegradation has significant influence on carbocyclic ring closure.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Seong, S. Y. & Matzinger, P. Hydrophobicity: an ancient damage-associated molecular pattern that initiates innate immune responses.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that initiates", ensure that the subject clearly performs the action of beginning or starting something. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that initiates" when the subject only contributes to a larger process, rather than directly starting it. Using more precise verbs such as "contributes to" or "influences" will convey the meaning more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that initiates" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive (or defining) relative clause. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, providing essential information that identifies or limits the referent. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to specify what starts or begins a process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that initiates" is a common and grammatically correct relative clause used to specify what begins a process or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using "that initiates", ensure the subject directly performs the action of starting something. Alternatives include "that begins", "that starts", and "that triggers", each with subtle differences in meaning. This analysis provides a detailed understanding of how to effectively use "that initiates" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that begins

Simple substitution of "initiates" with a direct synonym, focusing on commencement.

that starts

Replaces "initiates" with a common synonym emphasizing the act of starting.

that triggers

Focuses on causation, where something sets off a chain of events.

that commences

A more formal substitute for "initiates", implying a structured beginning.

that sets in motion

Emphasizes the beginning of a process or series of actions.

that gives rise to

Highlights the creation or emergence of something as a result.

that inaugurates

Suggests a formal or ceremonial beginning.

that instigates

Implies active encouragement or initiation, often with a negative connotation.

that sparks

Conveys a sudden or energetic beginning.

that originates

Focuses on the source or origin point of something.

FAQs

How can I use "that initiates" in a sentence?

Use "that initiates" to describe something that starts a process or action, such as, "The new policy "that initiates changes" in the workflow will take effect next month."

What are some alternatives to "that initiates"?

You can use alternatives like "that begins", "that starts", or "that triggers" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "that initiates" or "which initiates"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "that initiates" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. "Which initiates" is typically used in non-restrictive clauses that add extra information.

What is the difference between "that initiates" and "that causes"?

"That initiates" refers specifically to starting something, whereas "that causes" implies a direct result or effect. "Initiates" focuses on the beginning, while "causes" focuses on the consequence.