trigger a crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a crime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that causes or leads to the commission of a crime. Example: "The suspect's reckless behavior could trigger a crime if left unchecked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Any book could trigger a crime.

The Guardian - Books

The interaction of the three elements that form the Routine Activity Theory (victim – offender – location) can trigger a crime occurrence, but also create a fearful situation.

Security Informatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The UKIP leader has argued that Romanian migrants have triggered a crime wave in parts of London.

BBC

Scrawled in orange spray paint, the message has generated disgust and alarm on social media, and police on Sunday said the vandalism has triggered a hate crime investigation.

Los Angeles Times

This will help to further elucidate environmental factors that trigger a heightened perception of crime and with further testing could lead to a business fear generation measurement tool to be used by police and civic agencies.

Security Informatics

A disorderly conduct violation for spitting or jaywalking -- not even technically crimes -- can trigger a two-year ban from public housing in New York City.

Huffington Post

The association between 'evidence' and Syria can trigger a rationalization process where Syria is perceived as a logical perpetrator of the crimes committed in Lebanon.

Functional Linguistics

The joy of reading Hill is watching him play both sides of this dynamic, using Pascoe's sensitive analysis of an Emily Dickinson poem found at a crime scene to trigger an earthier insight from Dalziel.

The New York Times - Books

Despite this, sex offences are typically cited by college admissions offices as among the crimes most likely to trigger an automatic bar to admission.

Vice

Despite this, sex offenses are typically cited by college admissions offices as among the crimes most likely to trigger an automatic bar to admission.

Vice

Mr. Timmendequas was convicted of killing a 7-year-old girl in Hamilton Township in a crime that triggered a movement to enact Megan's Laws, requiring police to track sex offenders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger a crime", ensure the context clearly establishes the causal relationship between the triggering event and the criminal act. Avoid ambiguity by specifying both the trigger and the crime precisely.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a crime" when the connection between the event and the crime is weak or speculative. Ensure there's a demonstrable link, rather than implying causation based on correlation alone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a crime" functions as a causative expression, indicating an event or situation that initiates or sets in motion a criminal act. Ludwig shows examples in news and scientific contexts, indicating its use in describing real-world scenarios and theoretical models.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger a crime" is a useful way to describe a causal relationship between an event and a criminal act. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, its appearance in news and scientific sources suggests its utility in both practical reporting and theoretical discussion. Remember to use the phrase with precision, ensuring a clear and demonstrable link between the trigger and the crime to avoid overstating causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a crime

Replaces "trigger" with a more direct causal verb.

instigate a crime

Emphasizes the initiation of the crime.

lead to a crime

Focuses on the consequence of the action.

spark a crime

Implies a sudden and forceful beginning of the crime.

precipitate a crime

Highlights the hastening or bringing about of the crime.

set off a crime

Suggests a chain reaction leading to the crime.

give rise to a crime

Indicates the origin or source of the crime.

result in a crime

Stresses the outcome or consequence as a crime.

be the catalyst for a crime

Presents the action as an agent of change that starts the crime.

contribute to a crime

Indicates that the action is one of several factors influencing the crime.

FAQs

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

You can use "trigger a crime" to describe an event or action that initiates or causes a criminal act. For example, "The suspect's reckless behavior could "trigger a crime" if left unchecked."

What are some alternatives to "trigger a crime"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cause a crime", "lead to a crime", or "instigate a crime", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "trigger off a crime" instead of "trigger a crime"?

While "set off a crime" is a valid alternative, ""trigger a crime"" is more direct and commonly used to describe the action of initiating a criminal act.

What's the difference between "trigger a crime" and "contribute to a crime"?

"Trigger a crime" suggests a direct and immediate cause, while "contribute to a crime" implies that the action is one of several factors influencing the criminal activity.