they were triggered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were triggered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has a strong emotional reaction to a specific stimulus or event. Example: "During the discussion, they were triggered by the mention of past experiences that were painful for them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And they were triggered by drilling for oil and gas.

The Guardian

Nightly, they were triggered by the dawning realization that sleep would elude me yet again.

The Guardian

They were triggered by a series of alleged violent carjackings of the school principal, Scott Fatnowna, and targeted attacks on teachers' accommodation by local youths.

The Guardian

Apoptosis and autophagy were induced by CdTe-QDs to the same extent as observed in the non-inflammatory condition, although they were triggered earlier.

Nature

Most post-war construction busts have been followed by recession, but only because they were triggered by tighter monetary policy to head off inflation.

The Economist

Then came consumerism and the advent of the needy child, driven by wants and desires he did not know he had until they were triggered by popular media.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Sometimes they are triggered by the intellect.

The New York Times - Books

They are triggered by target words and include slots which are filled by frame elements.

Computer Speech & Language

Nor should they be triggered by the transactions of regular customers such as purchasing agents.

Harvard Business Review

The warnings are expected; they are triggered because mtlfile=NONE (by default), doevtgrade=no, and calculate_pi=no.

Harvard University

They are triggered by a low-level signal and work on the base of phenomena like natural circulation and condensation.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were triggered", ensure that the context clearly indicates what caused the reaction and who or what experienced it. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "they were triggered" especially in sensitive contexts, as it can sometimes trivialize or dismiss genuine emotional responses. Instead, opt for more descriptive language to convey the specific reaction and its cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were triggered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an external stimulus caused a specific reaction in the subjects. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were triggered" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship where a stimulus leads to a specific reaction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and can be found across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and academic sources. While versatile, it's essential to be mindful of the context and audience to avoid any potential misinterpretations. Using more descriptive language may be preferable in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were activated

Refers to the commencement of a process or reaction, similar to being triggered.

they were stimulated

Indicates a response to a stimulus, akin to being triggered.

they were prompted

Suggests an instigation or initiation, close to the idea of being triggered.

they were incited

Implies a strong encouragement or urging, similar to a trigger causing a reaction.

they were sparked

Conveys the idea of something being ignited or initiated, much like a trigger.

they were set off

Describes the start of a reaction or event, mirroring the effect of a trigger.

they were provoked

Indicates a reaction caused by an external stimulus, similar to being triggered.

they were influenced

Suggests an effect or change due to an external factor, akin to a trigger.

they were affected

Conveys an impact or change due to an event, comparable to being triggered.

they were touched off

Similar to "set off", implying an initial event leading to a chain reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "they were triggered" in a sentence?

You can use "they were triggered" to describe a situation where individuals experienced a strong emotional or physical response to a particular stimulus. For example, "During the discussion, "they were triggered" by the mention of past trauma."

What are some alternatives to saying "they were triggered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they were upset", "they reacted strongly", or "they were affected".

What does it mean when something is described as "triggered"?

When something is described as "triggered", it means that it has initiated a reaction or response, often emotional or psychological, due to exposure to a specific stimulus or event.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "they were triggered" in all situations?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, it may not be appropriate in all situations. Consider the sensitivity of the context and the potential for misinterpretation or offense. In some cases, more descriptive language may be preferable.