trigger a fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a fire" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to cause or start a fire. Example: The careless camper's unattended campfire triggered a fire that quickly spread through the dry forest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The two women may have saved lives, according to Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, when even as they were shot at, they managed to trigger a fire alarm.

The Guardian

Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce has insisted the club's transfer embargo will not trigger a "fire sale" of players.

BBC

If an electrical short occurs within a battery, for example, current funnels through a threadlike pathway between the battery's two electrodes, creating a hot spot that can trigger a fire.

Science Magazine

A description of a grid-connected PV system is followed firstly by a comparison of the design solutions provided by International Standards, and secondly by an analysis of electrical phenomena which may trigger a fire.

Case Studies in Fire Safety

Toss a coin, overflow a sink or trigger a fire alarm to get the target away from prying eyes.

Huffington Post

How does an e-cigarette trigger a fire?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If the company fails to cut their rights payments or raise more cash from investors and fall into administration, it could trigger a fire-sale of television rights, including the England national team's away qualifiers and some FA Cup matches.

Independent

To do so would be like triggering a fire alarm, and we would be sent to the quarantine center".

The New York Times

In February, a fireworks display celebrating the Lunar New Year triggered a fire that destroyed a 720-foot-tall five-star hotel in Shenyang, a northeast China metropolis.

The New York Times

So after a short circuit triggered a fire in the shop, Paris seemed to come together in an unusual display of solidarity.

The New York Times

Investigators believe the strip gashed a tire on the supersonic jet, causing huge chunks of rubber to smash through the Concorde's fuel tanks and triggering a fire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger a fire", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or event led to the fire's initiation. For instance, specify if it was a mechanical failure, human error, or natural event.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about what triggered a fire. Always provide specific details about the cause to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings. For example, instead of saying "carelessness triggered a fire", specify "carelessly discarded smoking materials triggered a fire".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a fire" functions as a verb phrase, where "trigger" is the verb indicating causation and "a fire" is the noun phrase representing the event being initiated. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct and common phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trigger a fire" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the event or action that causes a fire to begin. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and frequently used term. Analysis of example sentences reveals its presence in news reports, scientific articles, and general reference materials like wikis. Contextually, it serves to highlight the cause of a fire, and while it can be used in neutral or formal settings, its register is considered generally neutral. When using this phrase, it is important to be as specific as possible about the triggering event to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a fire

Focuses on the direct action of causing a fire.

start a fire

Emphasizes the beginning of a fire.

ignite a fire

Highlights the act of setting something on fire.

set off a fire

Implies initiating a fire, often accidentally.

spark a fire

Suggests initiating a fire with a spark.

initiate a fire

A more formal way of saying to start a fire.

provoke a fire

Suggests an external factor leading to the fire.

generate a fire

Focuses on the creation or production of a fire.

bring about a fire

Indicates that something leads to a fire.

give rise to a fire

Emphasizes the origin or source of the fire.

FAQs

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

Use "trigger a fire" to describe the action or event that initiates a fire. For example, "A short circuit can "trigger a fire" in electrical systems".

What are some alternatives to "trigger a fire"?

Alternatives include "cause a fire", "start a fire", or "ignite a fire". Choose the alternative that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "caused a fire" instead of "triggered a fire"?

Yes, "caused a fire" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "triggered a fire". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Trigger" often implies a specific event that sets off the fire.

What is the difference between "trigger a fire" and "spark a fire"?

"Trigger a fire" is a more general term for causing a fire, while "spark a fire" specifically refers to starting a fire with a spark or small ignition source. Both are correct but have slightly different connotations.