trigger thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing methods or activities that stimulate cognitive processes or encourage deeper thought. Example: "The workshop aims to trigger thinking about innovative solutions to environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This point is one of several, during three days of testimony so far, in which one wonders why Pistorius doesn't take at least a degree of responsibility — saying, for example, that he pulled the trigger thinking the gun was empty, to get a feel for it.

The New Yorker

Two officers admiring a new.45-caliber semiautomatic pistol pulled the trigger, thinking it was empty.

Huffington Post

On Christmas Eve in 1997, Brian Crowell, then 12 years old, was at his best friend's house when his friend began showing off his mother's gun, pulling the trigger thinking it was unloaded.

Huffington Post

Picture yourself ignoring the trigger, thinking of what to make for dinner instead, or leaving the computer and taking a walk outside.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Having argued that the killing was a deliberate but mistaken act of self-preservation, he then said he pulled the trigger without thinking – an assertion that would match a so-called automaton or involuntary defence but not self-defence.

The Guardian

That sad experience seemed to trigger us thinking more about our own future, our own family, and our own house: after nearly 11 years together, Mizzy and I finally felt financially and emotionally secure enough to buy a house together – though by now, we simply couldn't afford to live in our own Ninth Ward neighborhood.

The Guardian

What should be paid heed to here is the fact that Kofi Annan will represent the "trigger" for thinking among the ranks of Security Council members about a "Plan B".

Huffington Post

For the parents who made a deliberate choice on vaccination, the trigger for thinking things over was most often the birth of their first child.

BMC Public Health

Feelings of fear, anxiety, and guilt can be easily triggered while thinking or talking about it.

Vice

Memory is beyond complex, and her work triggers deep thinking on how mental images are truly precarious. .

Vice

Balslev et al. [ 27] and Kamin et al. [ 28] found that video-cases triggered critical thinking better than written cases.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trigger thinking" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating a specific thought process, especially when a particular stimulus or event causes the thought.

Common error

Be mindful of the potentially negative connotations of the word "trigger", especially in contexts involving trauma or strong emotional reactions. Consider alternatives like "stimulate" or "prompt" to avoid unintended offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger thinking" functions as a verb + noun combination, where "trigger" acts as a verb initiating the action of "thinking". This is supported by examples in Ludwig, which show it used to describe something that starts a cognitive process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trigger thinking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the initiation of a thought process. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability, though it's relatively infrequent. It appears in diverse sources like news, science, and wikis, indicating a neutral register. While acceptable, be mindful of the word "trigger"'s connotations and consider alternatives like "spark thought" for greater precision or sensitivity. Use it when emphasizing the start of a thought process due to a specific stimulus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark thought

Emphasizes the sudden initiation of a thought process, differing from "trigger thinking" in its focus on immediacy.

stimulate intellect

Focuses on activating the intellectual capacity, presenting a more formal and academic tone than "trigger thinking".

prompt consideration

Suggests initiating a process of careful and thorough thought, implying more deliberation than "trigger thinking".

incite reflection

Highlights the act of causing deep and thoughtful contemplation, adding an emotional depth not always present in "trigger thinking".

foster contemplation

Implies creating an environment conducive to thoughtful consideration, offering a more nurturing perspective compared to "trigger thinking".

initiate analysis

Focuses specifically on starting a process of detailed examination and evaluation, useful in analytical contexts where "trigger thinking" is too broad.

generate ideas

Emphasizes the production of new concepts and thoughts, suitable when the goal is to create new perspectives rather than simply start a thought process.

inspire thought

Implies motivating or encouraging deep thinking, suggesting a more uplifting or creative influence than the neutral "trigger thinking".

encourage reasoning

Highlights the promotion of logical and rational thought processes, appropriate when focusing on structured thinking rather than general contemplation.

motivate insight

Focuses on driving towards a deeper understanding or realization, suggesting a more profound outcome than the simple initiation implied by "trigger thinking".

FAQs

How can I use "trigger thinking" effectively in a sentence?

Use "trigger thinking" to describe the act of initiating a specific thought process. For instance, "The thought-provoking presentation aimed to trigger thinking about innovative solutions."

What are some alternatives to "trigger thinking"?

You can use alternatives like "spark thought", "stimulate intellect", or "prompt consideration" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "trigger thinking" in formal writing?

While "trigger thinking" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "stimulate intellect" or "prompt consideration" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "trigger thinking" and "encourage reasoning"?

"Trigger thinking" refers to initiating any thought process, while "encourage reasoning" specifically highlights promoting logical and rational thought.