trigger it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to initiating or causing a specific action or event. For example, "The new policy will trigger it if implemented." Alternative expressions include "initiate it" and "activate it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because of its safety trigger, it was also less hazardous to the user than earlier models.

Britannica

On receipt of Link_Up trigger, it immediately forwards the IW blocks in its retransmission queue.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

What might trigger it?

Stanford University

You need to trigger it.

Harvard Business Review

"Question is whether they will trigger it.

The Guardian - Money

This radical reform can trigger it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Access to £200 was enough to trigger it," he says.

The Guardian

"Our finger is on the trigger," it said.

The Guardian

But a strong breeze may be enough to trigger it.

The New York Times

Taking away prisoners' TVs might trigger it, he reckons.

The Economist

Now you can trigger it with only one finger).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the pronoun 'it' has a clear antecedent in the preceding sentence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly add prepositions such as 'to' or 'of' after 'trigger'. Because 'trigger' is a transitive verb in this context, it should be followed directly by the object 'it' without any intervening words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger it" functions as a transitive verb phrase where the verb 'trigger' acts upon the direct object pronoun 'it'. According to Ludwig, this structure is used to denote the initiation of a mechanical, biological, or social process. It follows standard English syntactic rules for verb-object placement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger it" is a robust and grammatically correct expression used to describe how one action initiates another. Ludwig data shows that it is exceptionally prevalent in high-authority sources, ranging from technical scientific papers to global news reporting. Whether referring to a volcanic eruption, a financial crisis, or a software update, "trigger it" remains the preferred choice for writers seeking to describe an immediate and direct consequence. It is highly recommended for both professional and academic writing due to its clarity and wide acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

activate it

Suggests turning on a mechanism or a formal system

initiate it

More formal and often refers to the beginning of a process or procedure

set it off

More informal and often implies a sudden or explosive reaction

spark it

Metaphorical, suggesting a creative or sudden beginning

provoke it

Usually used when the result is a negative or aggressive reaction

induce it

Frequently used in scientific or medical contexts to describe a brought-about state

prompt it

Implies a subtle cause that encourages an action to occur

cause it

The most general and neutral alternative for direct causality

catalyze it

Scientific metaphor implying the acceleration of a process

set it in motion

Idiomatic expression for starting a complex chain of events

FAQs

How do I use "trigger it" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an action that starts a process, for example: "Once the sensor detects motion, the system will "trigger it" automatically."

What can I say instead of "trigger it"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "activate it", "initiate it" or "set it off".

Is "trigger it" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and scientific literature. However, for a more technical tone, you might consider "induce it" or "precipitate it".

What is the difference between "trigger it" and "cause it"?

While both refer to causality, "cause it" is general, whereas "trigger it" specifically implies that a small action initiates a much larger or automatic response.