trigger him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something may provoke a strong emotional response or reaction from someone. Example: "Be careful with your words; you might trigger him if you bring up that topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The film, which the killer most certainly will not have seen beforehand, presented him with an opportunity; it did not urge him on, or trigger him into homicide, but it was, nonetheless, the occasion that he sought.

The New Yorker

In the day, an innocent remark would trigger him and send him into angry rages.

Huffington Post

We knew we needed to trigger him in a hard way.

Huffington Post

I feared being home would trigger him to connect with the ones that brought him down and couldn't take that risk.

Huffington Post

Firstly, randomization at the patient level would inevitably have led to contamination, as receiving cessation proposals for some, but not all patients included from an individual GP, would inevitably trigger him or her to rethink their strategy of control patients.

BMC Family Practice

Talking about it could trigger him to smoke.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So it could have been anything that triggered him.

The New York Times

"I don't know what triggered him, and he goes after the agent".

The New York Times

I know that when someone tells him that something is impossible, that's what triggers him into action.

The Guardian

He said of the bleach-throwing: "What exactly triggered him to do that, I have no idea".

The New York Times

We don't know if this was the intended target or there was something that triggered him to do this immediately".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger him", consider the specific context and the intensity of the reaction you want to convey. Alternatives like "provoke him" or "set him off" might be more appropriate depending on the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "trigger him" casually in discussions about trauma or mental health, as it can trivialize serious experiences. Choose more sensitive language when discussing such topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger him" functions as a verb phrase where "trigger" is the verb and "him" is the object pronoun. It describes the action of causing someone to have a particular reaction. As Ludwig AI confirm, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger him" is a phrase used to describe causing someone to have a particular reaction, often emotional or psychological. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid using it casually in sensitive discussions. Alternatives such as "provoke him" or "set him off" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke him

This alternative uses a more direct verb to indicate causing a reaction.

set him off

This idiom suggests causing a sudden and often negative reaction.

spark him

This implies initiating a reaction or emotion in him.

incite him

Similar to provoke, but suggests a more deliberate attempt to cause a reaction.

prompt him

This indicates causing him to take a particular action.

stimulate him

This suggests a more general arousal or activation.

activate him

This implies initiating a process or response in him.

instigate him

This implies initiating an action or event, often negative.

motivate him

Suggests providing him with a reason or incentive to act.

influence him

Implies affecting his behavior or thoughts.

FAQs

What does "trigger him" mean?

The phrase "trigger him" means to cause someone to have a strong emotional or psychological reaction, often negative, due to a reminder of a past trauma or experience.

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

You can use "trigger him" in a sentence like this: "Be careful what you say, you don't want to "trigger him" by mentioning his past failures."

What can I say instead of "trigger him"?

You can use alternatives like "provoke him", "set him off", or "incite him" depending on the context.

Is "trigger him" formal or informal?

"Trigger him" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, it's better to use alternatives like "prompt him" or "influence him".