trigger a revolution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger a revolution" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an event or action that sets off a larger movement or significant change in society or a particular situation. Example: "The government's decision to raise taxes on basic necessities sparked outrage among the citizens and ultimately triggered a revolution against the ruling party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Colbert bantered, gamely but tamely, with Sarandon, who had suggested to him, in an appearance a year ago, that Trump might trigger a "revolution".

The New Yorker

"They thought a retaliation by us would trigger a revolution".

The New York Times

Will the community energy strategy trigger a revolution?

The Guardian

Bitcoin may well trigger a revolution, but it will be a slow one.

The Economist

And in this kind of rapidly moving environment, thinking like this can sometimes trigger a revolution.

MIT Technology Review

By the time Smith received the Wollaston Medal, his map had helped trigger a revolution in geology.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Nearly two and a half millennia ago, Aristotle triggered a revolution in happiness.

The New Yorker

"Sea-floor spreading," as the process was later named, helped establish the concept of continental drift as scientifically respectable and triggered a revolution in earth sciences.

Princeton University

Other artists had done this in live performance, but Minott brought the technique into the recording studio, triggering a revolution in Jamaican music.

The Guardian - Music

Their melodramatic story combines eccentric details and epic scope: they're brought together by an escaped baby crocodile; the end of the affair triggers a revolution.

The New York Times

This charge, along with widespread pension fraud and the failure to bring about proposed governmental reforms, triggered a revolution in July 1906.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger a revolution", ensure the context clearly establishes what action or event initiates the significant change being described. The phrase is most effective when the link between cause and effect is apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger a revolution" if the change is incremental or localized. This phrase implies a sweeping, transformative shift, so ensure the scale of change warrants such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger a revolution" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of initiating or setting off a significant and transformative change. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with standard grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger a revolution" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the initiation of a significant and transformative change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is used in neutral to formal contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, Science and Academia. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship and that the scale of change warrants such a strong term. Remember, other phrases like "spark a revolution" or "initiate a revolution" may offer slightly different nuances depending on the specific meaning you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a revolution

Replaces "trigger" with "spark", emphasizing the initial burst of energy that ignites a revolution.

initiate a revolution

Uses "initiate" instead of "trigger", suggesting a more deliberate and planned beginning to the revolution.

set off a revolution

Replaces "trigger" with "set off", implying a chain reaction that starts the revolution.

precipitate a revolution

Emphasizes the hastening or accelerating of a revolution that was already brewing.

instigate a revolution

Implies a more active role in provoking or stirring up the revolution.

unleash a revolution

Suggests releasing a revolution that was previously restrained or contained.

generate a revolution

Focuses on the creation and emergence of a revolution.

bring about a revolution

Indicates causing a revolution to happen, often through indirect actions.

foment a revolution

Suggests actively stirring up discontent and rebellion to cause a revolution.

catalyze a revolution

Highlights the role of something acting as a catalyst to speed up the revolutionary process.

FAQs

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

Use "trigger a revolution" to describe an event or action that initiates a significant societal, political, or technological change. For example: "The invention of the printing press "triggered a revolution" in the spread of information."

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

You can use alternatives like "spark a revolution", "initiate a revolution", or "set off a revolution" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "trigger a revolution" or "start a revolution"?

"Trigger a revolution" often implies that a specific event or action inadvertently caused the revolution, whereas "start a revolution" suggests a more deliberate and planned beginning. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "precipitate a revolution" and "trigger a revolution"?

"Precipitate a revolution" emphasizes accelerating a revolution that was already developing, while "trigger a revolution" simply indicates the event that started the revolutionary process. "Precipitate a revolution" suggests urgency or a hastening of events.