trigger gasps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger gasps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that causes people to react with surprise or astonishment. Example: "The magician's final trick was so astonishing that it triggered gasps from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The creatures' dark and jagged silhouettes against the night sky may rather trigger gasps and dashes indoors.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In certain situations, withdrawal of treatment, particularly mechanical ventilation, can trigger gasping respiration, which can be a distressing sight, particularly as it may in some cases last for hours.

Annals of Intensive Care

What triggered gasps throughout a sport thrown off-kilter by a flood of upsets last week was how unaggressive Williams often was.

Los Angeles Times

His fondness for provocation can trigger both gasps and laughter.

The New York Times

A wife brings in her husband and his horrendous scans trigger a gasp of astonishment among even the non-oncologists.

The Guardian - Opinion

That choice triggered a gasp from the crowd and undoubtedly sent some club executives back to their phones to revise their respective strategies.

Los Angeles Times

(AP) — A soldier in the New York Army National Guard was acquitted of murder on Thursday in the bombing deaths of two superiors in Iraq, triggering outbursts and gasps from the slain officers' families.

The New York Times

If the patient experiences breathlessness, common for those with heart and lung disease, Dr. Morrison said, oxygen equipment can ease the discomfort and the anxiety that gasping for breath can trigger.

The New York Times

Unless, of course, the crazy dream I had last night comes true: Rahm, after a long chat with Quaxelrod at the Democratic convention, returns to Chicago to find that Lewis has actually -- gasp -- pulled the trigger, turning some 400,000 kids onto Chicago's increasingly dangerous streets.

Huffington Post

Those deals at the bottom of the post may even go so far as to add value to the content (gasp!), and give publishers a trigger to monetize.

TechCrunch

James Dempsey, 89, was residing at Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation Center in February 2014 when he repeatedly triggered his call button while gasping for help, video recently obtained by WXIA-TV shows.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger gasps" to vividly describe moments of surprise, shock, or astonishment in narratives or descriptive writing. It emphasizes the immediate and involuntary reaction of the audience or characters.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger gasps" in contexts where a more neutral or subtle reaction is expected. This phrase is best suited for dramatic or impactful moments, not everyday occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger gasps" functions as a verb phrase where "trigger" acts as a transitive verb, taking "gasps" as its direct object. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct, effectively describing an action that causes a reaction of surprise or astonishment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trigger gasps" is a grammatically sound and vivid way to describe causing a reaction of surprise or shock. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, aim for moments where a strong, immediate reaction is appropriate, avoiding overuse in neutral scenarios. Alternatives such as "elicit gasps" or "cause gasps" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit gasps

Replaces "trigger" with "elicit", focusing on drawing out the gasps as a response.

cause gasps

Uses "cause" instead of "trigger", indicating a direct causation of the gasps.

prompt gasps

Substitutes "trigger" with "prompt", suggesting a less forceful instigation of the gasps.

spark gasps

Replaces "trigger" with "spark", implying a sudden and immediate reaction of gasps.

instigate gasps

Uses "instigate" in place of "trigger", indicating a deliberate initiation of the gasps.

generate gasps

Replaces "trigger" with "generate", focusing on the creation of gasps as a result.

bring about gasps

Uses a phrasal verb to convey causing gasps, emphasizing the result.

lead to gasps

Suggests a sequence of events where something results in gasps.

result in gasps

Similar to "lead to gasps", focusing on the outcome of gasps.

give rise to gasps

Implies creating a situation or event that causes gasps.

FAQs

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

You can use "trigger gasps" to describe something that causes a sudden intake of breath due to surprise or shock, for example: "The magician's final act "triggered gasps" from the audience."

What does "trigger gasps" mean?

"Trigger gasps" means to cause people to audibly gasp, often due to surprise, shock, or amazement. It emphasizes a strong, involuntary reaction.

What can I say instead of "trigger gasps"?

Alternatives to "trigger gasps" include "elicit gasps", "cause gasps", or "prompt gasps". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "trigger gasps" formal or informal?

"Trigger gasps" is suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts, often found in journalistic writing and storytelling, but less common in highly formal or academic discourse.