trigger a clash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a clash" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an action or event causes a conflict or disagreement between parties. Example: "The new policy changes are likely to trigger a clash between management and employees over working conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"An officer on the Pakistani side will have a headache or is unhappy about something, he fires on the Indian side and triggers a clash.

The Guardian

Last month, Israel downed a drone in its airspace that it claimed was Iranian, triggering a clash in which an Israeli jet was struck by Syrian anti-aircraft fire and "large-scale" strikes on targets near Damascus.

The Guardian

Assailants threw explosives at police in Xinhe county in the Aksu prefecture on Friday, triggering a clash in which police killed six and captured five suspects, according to the Tianshan news outlet, which is run by the regional Communist party.

The Guardian

The government announced that it would deny free movement to citizens from the EU's most recent member, Croatia, triggering a clash with EU officials and jeopardizing existing border agreements.

Britannica

Today, his heart initially triggered a clash between Turkish and Hungarian scientists, but then united them again in harmony.

Huffington Post

It's looking more and more like a rerun of a disastrous stunt pulled by the government of Georgia in 2008, which triggered a clash with Russia with the expectation that the Bush administration would come to its rescue and bring Georgia into the NATO alliance.

HuffPost

"Any other regime would be less committed to such an alliance". In the short term, however, Israel's military is worried that Assad might attempt to divert attention from his domestic problems by triggering a clash with Israel, either directly or through Hezbollah or Hamas.

Los Angeles Times

The trigger was a clash in July between French Roma and police in the town of Saint Aignan.

BBC

"The gunfire in the area can trigger a military clash between the two sides," said a commentary carried by the North Korean government Web site Uriminzokkiri.com.

The New York Times

The Central Intelligence Agency noted in 1983 that the possibility of a Soviet invasion of Iran is "remote" because "Moscow realizes such action could trigger a major clash with the United States and fierce opposition from the Iranians". The C.I.A. view was presented in classified testimony to a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has recently been declassified.

The New York Times

But the American campaign undertaken in response to Russia's information offensive is limited in large part to keep Moscow from escalating in response by taking down the power grid or conducting some other reprisal that could trigger a bigger clash between great powers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger a clash", ensure that the cause-and-effect relationship is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the exact action or event that initiates the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a clash" repeatedly in similar situations within the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "spark a conflict" or "initiate a confrontation" to maintain reader engagement and show range in writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a clash" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of initiating or causing a conflict. Examples on Ludwig show it used to describe events that lead to disagreements or open conflict.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger a clash" is used to describe the act of initiating a conflict or disagreement. Although it's grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI indicates, it has a low frequency of usage. Alternative phrases like "spark a conflict" or "initiate a confrontation" may be used depending on the context and desired level of formality. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the cause-and-effect relationship to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a conflict

Indicates the beginning of a conflict, often suddenly or unexpectedly. Uses "spark" instead of "trigger".

set off a conflict

Implies that something has activated or started a conflict, often unintentionally. Uses "set off" instead of "trigger".

ignite a conflict

Similar to "spark a conflict" but suggests a more intense or passionate beginning. Uses "ignite" instead of "trigger".

provoke a conflict

Indicates a deliberate attempt to start a conflict. "Provoke" is used instead of "trigger".

initiate a confrontation

Implies a more formal or deliberate start to a hostile situation. "Initiate" replaces "trigger" and "confrontation" replaces "clash".

instigate a clash

Implies actively stirring up or inciting a clash. "Instigate" replaces "trigger".

prompt a confrontation

Indicates that something has encouraged or incited a confrontation. "Prompt" is used instead of "trigger".

precipitate a dispute

Suggests that something has hastened or accelerated a dispute's beginning. "Precipitate" replaces "trigger".

cause a dispute

Suggests a disagreement or argument has begun. "Cause" is used instead of "trigger" and "dispute" instead of "clash".

give rise to a dispute

Indicates that something has caused a dispute to emerge or begin. Uses a more descriptive phrasing compared to the original.

FAQs

How can I use "trigger a clash" in a sentence?

You can use "trigger a clash" to describe a situation where an event or action causes a conflict or disagreement. For example, "The new policy changes are likely to "trigger a clash" between management and employees over working conditions."

What are some alternatives to "trigger a clash"?

You can use alternatives like "spark a conflict", "initiate a confrontation", or "cause a dispute" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "trigger a clash" in formal writing?

Yes, "trigger a clash" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider the specific context. For highly formal or academic settings, alternatives like "initiate a confrontation" or "precipitate a dispute" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "trigger a clash" and "cause a clash"?

While both phrases indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, ""trigger a clash"" suggests a more immediate or abrupt start to the conflict, whereas "cause a clash" can imply a more gradual or indirect influence.