trigger the alarm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'trigger the alarm' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe activating some sort of warning system or alert. For example, "The fire alarm was triggered when flames were spotted coming from the kitchen window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Jewelry and glasses don't trigger the alarm.

The New York Times

An object left on the roof or hood of the car would trigger the alarm system.

The New York Times

However, a moving object crossing through the room path will deflect the beam and trigger the alarm.

The New York Times

You must also confine pets to rooms that are not protected by the system or else they will trigger the alarm.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, scientists have struggled to find other elements on the MenB bug that are sufficiently dissimilar to our own bodies to trigger the alarm, yet are present on all strains.

The Guardian

Joe Johnston, an engineer from Albany, posted a message touting a pair of Bass dress shoes, noting he once bet a security screener at Logan airport in Boston $5 that his shoes would not trigger the alarm.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A crucial switch from the roof of the tank intended to trigger the alarms was recently found by investigators, but has not yet been sent for forensic analysis.

The Guardian

City officials declined to provide details on how the emergency system works, noting only that "it's a tonal-type system," which suggests it could be compromised by outside radio equipment replicating the tonal code required to trigger the alarms.

TechCrunch

One of the cats accidentally triggers the alarm and once again the police are on their way.

The New Yorker

When there is an alarm, TSA officers target the area of the body that triggered the alarm and pat down the passenger, the official said.

The Guardian

Before pitching up rudely at the Queen's bedside, Fagan wandered around the palace, via King George V's multimillion-pound stamp collection, triggering the alarm twice.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the cause of an alarm, use "trigger" to clearly indicate the action or event that activated it. For example, "Smoke from the burning toast triggered the alarm."

Common error

Avoid using verbs like "activate" or "initiate" when you specifically want to emphasize the cause of the alarm. While these verbs are similar, "trigger" directly links an event to the alarm's activation. For example, prefer "The motion sensor triggered the alarm" over "The motion sensor activated the alarm."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger the alarm" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of initiating or setting off an alarm, often as a result of a specific event or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trigger the alarm" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the activation of an alarm system due to a specific cause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is considered grammatically sound and appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Alternative phrases like "activate the alarm" or "set off the alarm" offer slight variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly link the action or event to the alarm's activation for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

activate the alarm

This alternative uses a different verb to describe initiating the alarm system. It's very similar in meaning but offers a slight variation in wording.

set off the alarm

This alternative uses a phrasal verb, which changes the tone slightly, but retains the core meaning of initiating the alarm.

cause the alarm to sound

This alternative provides a more descriptive explanation of what happens when the alarm is triggered. It's more verbose but clarifies the action.

trip the alarm

This alternative is a more informal way of saying the alarm was activated, suggesting accidental or unintentional activation.

initiate the alarm

This alternative is more formal and technical, suitable for official reports or technical documentation.

start the alarm

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of saying the alarm began to function.

provoke the alarm

This alternative emphasizes the action that leads to the alarm being activated, highlighting the cause-and-effect relationship.

spark the alarm

This alternative suggests a sudden or immediate triggering of the alarm, often due to a specific event.

induce the alarm

This alternative indicates that the alarm was activated as a result of a particular action or condition.

elicit the alarm

This alternative highlights that the alarm activation is a response to something, emphasizing the reactive nature of the system.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "trigger the alarm"?

You can use alternatives like "activate the alarm", "set off the alarm", or "cause the alarm to sound" depending on the context.

How do I use "trigger the alarm" in a sentence?

Use "trigger the alarm" to describe an action or event that causes an alarm system to activate. For example, "Breaking the glass will trigger the alarm."

Which is correct, "trigger the alarm" or "triggering the alarm"?

"Trigger the alarm" is used as an imperative or infinitive, while "triggering the alarm" is a gerund or present participle. Choose based on your sentence structure. For example, "Do not trigger the alarm" vs. "The act of triggering the alarm alerted the authorities."

What's the difference between "trigger the alarm" and "activate the alarm"?

While similar, "trigger the alarm" emphasizes the cause leading to the alarm, while "activate the alarm" focuses on the action of making the alarm functional. For instance, "The smoke triggered the alarm" (cause) vs. "He activated the alarm system" (action).