trigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate the initiation of a response or action, often in relation to emotions or reactions. Example: "The loud noise seemed to trigger a panic response in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next, he pointed out that full nationalization of a financial institution might trigger systemic shocks, as investors retreated from other banks, creating exactly the kind of panic that nationalization was intended to prevent.

The Economist

"We have a whole new generation that is interested in climate change", he said as he predicted that putting taxes on the use of carbon would trigger a wave of clean technology which would lift people out of poverty in the developing world while preventing the global temperature from rising by more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.

The Guardian

Windsor put the water trigger law in place in a deal with the minority Gillard government in the previous term of parliament.

The Guardian

This week, a spokesman for Shenhua said the company expected the water trigger to be applied as part of the commonwealth assessment and "we have prepared accordingly".

The Guardian

Rodgers employs two key words to trigger his squad and himself: "I always say to the players: 'You can either create or wait.' If you're waiting you're relying on someone else, as simple as that.

The Guardian - Sport

I can actually remember smiling as I pulled the trigger, ready to shout, "Gotcha!" when I made them jump.

The Guardian

Whether Apple can reach those targets remains to be seen, but Llamas said the gadget will help to trigger a major uptick in the popularity of wearable technology in the next few months.

The Guardian - Tech

Farnsworth's research should trigger a public debate about the size and uses of the corporate welfare state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jennings said such missions were likely to trigger criticism from the Chinese government, but he argued the bigger risk was not to take such action.

The Guardian

Doing too much can trigger a collapse and take weeks or months to recuperate from.

The Guardian

And as some of the negative reactions showed, pictures of suffering can trigger not simply empathy and a desire to help, but also anger at the way that the people at the frontline of famine and conflict are represented.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger" in the context of emotional responses, be mindful of the potential impact on your audience. Consider using a "trigger warning" if the content may be disturbing or upsetting.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler words like "cause" or "start" would suffice. Overuse can dilute the word's impact and make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trigger" is to denote the initiation of an event, process, or reaction. This can apply to physical mechanisms, emotional responses, or abstract processes, as illustrated by Ludwig with examples like "pull the trigger" or "trigger a negative emotional response."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger" is a very common and grammatically correct term used to describe the initiation of an action, event, or emotional response. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's essential to use "trigger" thoughtfully, especially in sensitive situations, and to avoid overuse in overly casual settings. Alternatives like "set off", "activate", and "initiate" can provide nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set off

Indicates initiating an action or event, similar to starting or activating something.

activate

Focuses on making something operative or functional, sharing the sense of initiating a process.

initiate

Emphasizes the commencement or beginning of a process or action.

spark

Highlights the beginning or cause of a sudden event or reaction.

cause

Indicates direct responsibility for an event or action occurring.

prompt

Suggests inciting or encouraging a specific action or response.

elicit

Focuses on drawing out or evoking a response or reaction from someone.

generate

Highlights the production or creation of something as a result.

bring about

Indicates causing something to happen or exist.

give rise to

Emphasizes creating or causing a specific outcome or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "trigger" in a sentence?

You can use "trigger" to indicate the initiation of an event or response. For example, "The alarm was triggered by the motion sensor."

What can I say instead of "trigger"?

You can use alternatives like "set off", "activate", or "initiate", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "trigger" and "cause"?

"Trigger" often implies a more immediate or direct initiation, while "cause" can refer to a broader, underlying reason. A "catalyst" can trigger an event, but there might be other underlying causes.

When is it appropriate to use a "trigger warning"?

Use a "trigger warning" when your content contains potentially distressing material, such as descriptions of violence, abuse, or trauma, to alert sensitive audiences.