trigger a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that prompts or causes someone to ask a question. Example: "The unexpected turn of events in the story triggered a question about the character's motivations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

What kind of b*tch-waffle is triggered by a question like this? Answer: me.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless Volvo's admission will be seen by many as proof that British new car prices are indeed a rip-off, and it will trigger an immediate question in many motorists' minds: namely, should I buy a new car now, or should I wait to see if prices fall in the wake of the Volvo revelations.

The Guardian - Tech

These results provide a possible mechanism for how AE is triggered, a critical question given recent data from others that show that AE is induced prior to contact with the egg's extracellular covering, the zona pellucida.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

What triggers laughter is a question that leads into a different labyrinth.

The New York Times - Science

Avoiding a doctor's visit because of fear they'll focus on weight; past eating disorders being triggered because of a question assigned to GPs industry-wide; and specific problems being ignored because they're wrapped up in extra flesh aren't unique to my family.

The Guardian - Opinion

It only took the right trigger - be it a question of which community had access to what homes, or provocation by far right groups - to tip that frustration into violent confrontation.

The Guardian

I hope it will trigger a wave of questions" about how to best tackle the world's health problems.

Science Magazine

"I think we will come out with some answers, but those will trigger a lot more questions," Nimmo said.

Vice

It also triggered a 'start questions' icon on the touch screen.

BMC Psychiatry

For the questioner, it's an automatic slur of a question triggered by wanting to express our manners and kindness or by just not knowing what else to say.

Huffington Post

Given that a definiteness restriction is required for a topic, not for a subject, this will identify the trigger in question as a grammatical topic.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger a question" when you want to emphasize that a specific event, statement, or observation directly leads to someone formulating a question in their mind. This emphasizes the causal relationship between the trigger and the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a question" when you mean to imply that something provides an answer. This phrase is about initiating inquiry, not resolving it. Instead of saying "This data triggers a question", ensure you aren't actually using it to answer another question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a question" functions as a verb phrase where "trigger" acts as a transitive verb, indicating the action of causing something to happen, and "a question" is the direct object, representing what is being initiated. Although no exact matches are found, Ludwig indicates that the phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger a question" is grammatically correct and aims to highlight a cause-and-effect relationship, where something prompts an inquiry. Though Ludwig provides no exact examples from its corpus, it confirms its usability. While the phrase suits neutral contexts, it's advisable to carefully assess the intent behind it: whether to emphasize the direct prompting of a question or its eventual occurrence. Alternatives such as "prompt a question" or "raise a question" can add nuanced meaning depending on the intended message. Ultimately, the decision to use "trigger a question" hinges on the writer's goal to illustrate the connection between an event and the resulting inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prompt a question

Emphasizes the act of suggesting or initiating a question.

raise a question

Focuses on bringing a question into attention or discussion.

spark a question

Highlights the sudden or immediate onset of a question.

elicit a question

Stresses the act of drawing out a question from someone.

provoke a question

Indicates that something incites or stimulates a question.

give rise to a question

Suggests that something causes or creates a question.

lead to a question

Shows that something precedes and introduces a question.

generate a question

Focuses on the creation or production of a question.

instigate a question

Emphasizes the initiation or commencement of a question.

call forth a question

Indicates that something evokes or summons a question.

FAQs

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

You can use "trigger a question" to describe something that prompts or causes someone to ask a question. For example, "The unexpected results "triggered a question" about the accuracy of the initial hypothesis".

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

You can use alternatives like "prompt a question", "raise a question", or "spark a question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "trigger a question" or "raise a question"?

Both "trigger a question" and "raise a question" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Trigger a question" implies a cause-and-effect relationship, while "raise a question" simply means to bring a question to attention.

What's the difference between "trigger a question" and "lead to a question"?

"Trigger a question" suggests an immediate and direct prompting of a question, whereas "lead to a question" implies a process or series of events that eventually results in a question being asked.