trigger conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to initiating or sparking a discussion or dialogue on a particular topic. Example: "The new policy changes are likely to trigger conversation among employees about workplace culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Recording routine weights on women's care plan was seen as a practice that would normalise weighing and help trigger conversation with women regarding weight and lifestyle behaviours.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So we triggered conversation about these issues.

The New York Times - Arts

"Anything that triggers conversation about faith and values in America is a really good thing," even if some take liberties with their narratives.

Huffington Post

That's created a small groundswell of resentment, as seen last summer with the release of "Watch the Throne," Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative album, which triggered conversations about how the two stars weren't taking their sociopolitical obligations seriously, even while the album contained some of the most savvy work either of them has ever recorded.

The New York Times - Arts

These new programs and offices have been nodes in triggering conversations about the culture of innovation throughout the White House and at agencies.

TechCrunch

It also triggers conversations about inequalities in race, gender and education.

Huffington Post

That friend, a law professor at Columbia, evidently told the New York Times about that memo — and the paper's report triggered conversations about whether Trump had obstructed justice.

Vice

I guess you could say it fell down on the list of things to do.' Carrier-testing results were received with great interest, more so than other test results returned to participants, and in several cases, participants reported that the test results triggered conversations between participants and their partners about the meaning of results for reproductive decisions.

Genome Medicine

"This could be a nice trigger for conversation," he told me.

The New Yorker

"I wanted my photographs to trigger a conversation about what happened in the city and what it means to all of us".

The New York Times

Instead, POF will trigger your "Conversation Powers" after you've chatted with a match for a period of time.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger conversation" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating a discussion, especially in response to a specific event or stimulus. For example, a controversial statement can "trigger conversation" about societal norms.

Common error

While "trigger conversation" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in informal settings. Alternatives such as "spark a chat" or "start talking" might be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger conversation" functions as a verb phrase + noun, indicating the action of initiating a discussion. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes an event or action that starts a dialogue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger conversation" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies the initiation of a discussion, often prompted by a specific event or stimulus. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable in various settings, being mindful of formality is advised, as alternatives may suit informal contexts better. Its effectiveness lies in emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship between an action and the subsequent dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a conversation

Changes the verb to "spark" while maintaining the meaning of initiating a discussion.

initiate a dialogue

Replaces "conversation" with "dialogue" and "trigger" with "initiate", focusing on a more formal exchange.

prompt a discussion

Uses "prompt" instead of "trigger", suggesting a more gentle initiation of the discussion.

stimulate discourse

Employs more formal vocabulary like "stimulate" and "discourse", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

foster communication

Shifts the focus to encouraging communication, which may involve more than just initiating it.

encourage discussion

Highlights the act of promoting discussion rather than directly starting it.

generate debate

Suggests a more argumentative or formal style of conversation.

set off a discussion

Uses the phrasal verb "set off" to indicate initiating a discussion.

provoke a reaction

Indicates a strong response or discussion following an action or statement.

incite conversation

Uses "incite" which suggests a more intense or potentially controversial beginning to a conversation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "trigger a conversation"?

To "trigger a conversation" means to initiate or start a discussion, often as a result of a specific event, action, or statement. It implies that something has prompted people to begin talking about a particular topic.

What can I say instead of "trigger conversation"?

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

Is it better to use "trigger conversation" or "start a conversation"?

"Start a conversation" is more general, while "trigger conversation" implies that something specific caused the conversation to begin. Use "trigger conversation" when emphasizing the initiating event or stimulus.

How can I use "trigger conversation" effectively in writing?

Use "trigger conversation" to emphasize that a particular event or piece of information acted as a catalyst for discussion. For example, "The release of the documentary triggered a national conversation about climate change."