trigger a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to initiating or starting a discussion or dialogue on a particular topic. Example: "The recent events in the community have triggered a conversation about the need for better public safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I wanted my photographs to trigger a conversation about what happened in the city and what it means to all of us".

The New York Times

"I'm more interested in a photography that is 'unfinished' -- a photography that is suggestive and can trigger a conversation or dialogue.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If she or her mother would have provided any additional information it would have triggered a conversation".

The New York Times

"Many small and medium-sized firms value the DRA as it triggers a conversation about an employee's future and provides both sides with an opportunity to plan.

Independent

"In certain groups, it triggers a conversation that goes like this: 'They're trying to get equality, which means I'm losing something.'" "You have to be very careful about triggering this fear of 'us versus them,'" Belcher says.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It stimulates awareness of what is spent – and debt is an issue – and triggers a conversation in the community about what's needed for a decent standard of living and for businesses to survive".

The Guardian

The imbroglio has triggered a conversation about China's exercise of soft power in this country through business and political networks, and there is now a significant push on to ban foreign donations as part of an overhaul of the donations and disclosure system.

The Guardian

"The bike corral is in a lot of ways a trigger for a conversation that had to happen at some point," Ms. Blumm said.

The New York Times

It will help prevent our students from growing up to be the police officer who pulls the trigger when a conversation would have sufficed.

Huffington Post

When asked about people who could potentially apply for citizenship from another country, Turnbull said the government had released a discussion paper to trigger a national conversation.

The Guardian

Each catastrophe should trigger a national conversation, not just at the federal but also state and local levels along the lines of "what can our community here learn from what happened (over there)?" And that conversation should lead to a set of mutually-supportive private- and public-sector actions to build resilience at the community level and reduce future risk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger a conversation" when you want to emphasize the initiating event or factor that starts a discussion. It's particularly effective when that event might be unexpected or controversial.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a conversation" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "spark", "initiate", or "prompt" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a conversation" functions as a verb phrase, where "trigger" acts as a transitive verb, indicating the action of initiating or prompting something, and "a conversation" serves as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger a conversation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of initiating a discussion. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it functions as a verb phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, media, and science. While several synonyms exist, such as "spark a discussion" or "initiate a dialogue", "trigger a conversation" effectively emphasizes the initiating event. It is advisable to avoid overuse and consider varying language to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforces its acceptability and utility in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a discussion

Emphasizes the sudden and energetic beginning of a conversation.

initiate a dialogue

Suggests a more formal and structured start to a conversation.

prompt a discussion

Highlights the action of encouraging or causing a conversation to begin.

stimulate a conversation

Implies the act of encouraging or arousing interest in a conversation.

instigate a discussion

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate start to a conversation, possibly about a controversial topic.

foster a conversation

Focuses on creating a nurturing environment for a conversation to develop.

kick off a discussion

An informal way to describe the beginning of a conversation.

set off a debate

Implies the beginning of a more formal and often contentious discussion.

elicit a discussion

Highlights the act of drawing out or evoking a conversation.

generate a discussion

Suggests creating or producing a conversation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "trigger a conversation"?

To "trigger a conversation" means to initiate or start a discussion, often as a result of a specific event, action, or idea. It implies that something has prompted the conversation to begin.

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

You can use it like this: "The documentary aimed to "trigger a conversation" about climate change" or "The new policy "triggered a conversation" among employees about workplace ethics."

What can I say instead of "trigger a conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "spark a discussion", "initiate a dialogue", or "prompt a discussion depending on the context.

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

Yes, "trigger a conversation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing the cause-and-effect relationship between an event and a subsequent discussion. However, consider alternatives like "initiate a dialogue" for an even more formal tone.