trigger a response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action or event causes a reaction or reply, often in psychological, medical, or technical discussions. Example: "The sudden loud noise was enough to trigger a response from the startled audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You have to get some names that trigger a response".

The New York Times

Those that did ring failed to trigger a response.

The Economist

Buying EE will trigger a response from Vodafone, Liberty (owner of Virgin) and Telefonica's O2.

The Guardian - Business

These antibodies will trigger a response if they encounter the allergen again.

Independent

Astonishingly, we were not given any kind of explanation as to what went wrong in your case, although our intervention did trigger a response.

The Guardian - Money

For those who can't call the line due to safety fears, there is also a text number; sending the message "help" will trigger a response.

The Guardian

The release of two images of the pair, arm-in-arm and holding hands, was intended to trigger a response from the public about their whereabouts.

Independent

And it is bound to trigger a response from other tech firms that already have their heads in computing clouds, including Google and Amazon.

The Economist

The implication is clear: foes will have to reckon with a tripwire force that will trigger a response from the whole alliance.

The Economist

Three days later, armed leftist guerrillas attacked the US embassy, apparently hoping to trigger a response that would outrage Iranians and incite crowds to join the assault.

Independent

Yesterday, stores lured residents of the metropolitan area off their couches and out of their kitchens by dangling the one thing sure to trigger a response: an unusually good bargain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "elicit", "provoke", or "prompt" to make your writing more engaging and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures the agent causing the response. Instead of saying "a response was triggered", specify who or what is triggering the response to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a response" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that initiates or causes a reaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger a response" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the initiation of a reaction or outcome. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from scientific discourse to news reporting. The phrase sees frequent use in “Science” and “News & Media”, with some applications in “Formal & Business” settings, reflecting its broad applicability. Related phrases include "elicit a reaction" and "provoke a reaction", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. When using "trigger a response", ensure clarity in cause-and-effect relationships and avoid overuse of the passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit a reaction

Focuses on drawing out a reaction, similar to triggering but emphasizes the act of evoking.

provoke a reaction

Suggests a stronger, possibly negative, response is induced.

spark a reaction

Implies a sudden and energetic response.

prompt a response

Indicates a more direct and immediate causation of the response.

generate a reaction

Highlights the creation or production of a response.

induce a reaction

Emphasizes influence leading to the reaction.

cause a response

A more direct and general way of saying something leads to a response.

initiate a reaction

Focuses on the starting point of the reaction process.

set off a reaction

Suggests a chain reaction or a series of events following the initial trigger.

call forth a reaction

Implies a reaction that is summoned or evoked from something.

FAQs

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

You can use "trigger a response" to indicate that a specific action or event causes a reaction. For example, "The alarm is designed to trigger a response from the security team".

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

You can use alternatives like "elicit a reaction", "provoke a reaction", or "prompt a response" depending on the context.

Is "trigger a response" formal or informal?

"Trigger a response" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "trigger a response" and "cause a reaction"?

While both phrases indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, "trigger a response" often implies a more immediate or automatic reaction, while "cause a reaction" is a more general term for something that leads to a reaction.