trigger a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Carney's assumption when he announced the Bank's forward guidance in August was that it would take until early 2016 before unemployment reached the 7% threshhold that would automatically trigger a discussion about interest rates.

The Guardian

That is an observation that should already trigger a discussion.

BBC

"The focus is not just on charity giving, sure for our charities yes but when in games it's more around player actions that trigger a discussion for example: You just hit number 1 on the leaderboard can trigger a discussion for players in the game and network to see, we also show a screen grab of the win if necessary that also starts a discussion with gamers," he tells TechCrunch.

TechCrunch

The confirmation that the presence of dysplasia in individuals with multiple serrated polyps is a risk factor for developing CRC will signal to clinicians the need for increased vigilance if continuing colonoscopic surveillance in these individuals and may trigger a discussion regarding surgery if all polyps cannot be removed.

Plosone

Appointments and destinations could trigger a discussion about outdoor mobility and focussed goals on community participation.

BMC Health Services Research

The purpose was to trigger a discussion on how the informants act in a consultation with such a patient.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Instead, releases are usually "stripped down" to pose less likelihood of triggering a discussion or negotiation.

Stanford University

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist party (DUP) has triggered a discussion on the process to agree televised debates between party leaders ahead of May's general election.

The Guardian

Facebook and Apple triggered a discussion about women's careers and fertility last year when they announced they would cover egg freezing for female employees.

The Washington Post

The reading triggers a discussion about Facebook and privacy, prompting her to warn her students about putting too much private information on the ether.

The Guardian - Money

"The process of preparing for the Games has brought attention to the issues of pollution, waste management and water usage, triggering a discussion within the city and at the state and national level," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger a discussion" when you want to emphasize that a specific event, statement, or question initiated a conversation or debate. It implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a discussion" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "prompt a conversation" or "initiate a dialogue" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a discussion" functions as a verb phrase where "trigger" acts as a transitive verb, taking "a discussion" as its direct object. Ludwig AI validates its use in initiating conversations or debates.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger a discussion" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of initiating a conversation or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is particularly common in news, science, and academic writing. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use synonyms like "prompt a conversation" or "spark a debate" to avoid repetition. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves the purpose of highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship between an event and the subsequent conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate discussion

Focuses on the creation or production of conversation.

prompt a conversation

Highlights the act of urging or inciting a discussion.

ignite a conversation

Suggests a sudden and passionate start to a discussion.

provoke a discussion

Highlights the potentially controversial nature of starting the conversation.

spark a debate

Emphasizes the potential for disagreement or contention.

set off a debate

Indicates causing a debate, often unintentionally.

stimulate debate

Focuses on invigorating or arousing interest in a discussion.

initiate a dialogue

Suggests a more formal and structured conversation.

encourage dialogue

Suggests promoting and supporting open communication.

foster a discussion

Implies nurturing and encouraging a conversation to develop.

FAQs

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

You can use "trigger a discussion" to indicate that something caused a conversation to start, such as "The new policy changes are expected to "trigger a discussion" among employees".

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

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

Is it correct to say "trigger off a discussion"?

While "trigger" can sometimes be followed by "off", it's more common and generally preferred to simply use "trigger a discussion" without the "off". The phrase "trigger a discussion" is more concise and widely accepted.

What's the difference between "trigger a discussion" and "encourage a discussion"?

"Trigger a discussion" implies causing a conversation to start, often due to a specific event or issue. "Encourage a discussion", on the other hand, suggests creating an environment where conversation is welcomed and supported, but doesn't necessarily imply a specific initiating event.