triggered a fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triggered a fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an event or action causes a fire to start or occur. Example: "The faulty wiring in the building triggered a fire that spread quickly through the upper floors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So after a short circuit triggered a fire in the shop, Paris seemed to come together in an unusual display of solidarity.

The New York Times

In February, a fireworks display celebrating the Lunar New Year triggered a fire that destroyed a 720-foot-tall five-star hotel in Shenyang, a northeast China metropolis.

The New York Times

Officers responded to the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel at 2am on Sunday after a drunken man identified as the 26-year-old triggered a fire alarm, forcing the hotel to evacuate all guests.

The Guardian - Sport

According to reports, sunlight reflected from its mirrored facade melted parts of a Jaguar sports car in a nearby street and triggered a fire in a barber shop.

BBC

When the attack triggered a fire indicator light within the cockpit, the pilot requested rescue and law enforcement.

Wikipedia

In Odessa, where a violent clash triggered a fire that left 43 people dead on Friday, a district police station was surrounded Sunday by several hundred separatists demanding the release of protesters detained during the earlier fighting.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

To do so would be like triggering a fire alarm, and we would be sent to the quarantine center".

The New York Times

Investigators believe the strip gashed a tire on the supersonic jet, causing huge chunks of rubber to smash through the Concorde's fuel tanks and triggering a fire.

The New York Times

The two women may have saved lives, according to Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, when even as they were shot at, they managed to trigger a fire alarm.

The Guardian

The cause of the fire, and how long it burned inside Mr. Dembowitz's apartment before spreading into the hallway and triggering a fire alarm that notified emergency workers, is still under investigation, said First Assistant Prosecutor Guy Gregory of Hudson County.

The New York Times

The latest attack took place on January 23rd, an I.N.C. official told me, when missiles fired by what he termed "indigenous dissidents" struck the large Baiji refinery complex, north of Baghdad, triggering a fire that blazed for more than twelve hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "triggered a fire", ensure the subject clearly identifies the cause or event that initiated the fire. This enhances clarity and provides necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "triggered a fire" when the actual cause is unknown or speculative. Using vague subjects like "circumstances" without specific details weakens the statement's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "triggered a fire" functions as a causal verb phrase. It indicates that a specific action or event (trigger) directly resulted in the commencement of a fire. Ludwig examples show usage in describing various incidents, from short circuits to attacks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "triggered a fire" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves primarily to denote the cause of a fire incident in a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. It’s crucial to ensure the subject accurately identifies the cause for clarity. Alternatives like "caused a fire" or "ignited a fire" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. It's also vital to avoid speculative attributions when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caused a fire

Directly states the cause of the fire, similar in meaning but more general.

ignited a fire

Emphasizes the act of setting the fire in motion, implying a more active initiation.

sparked a fire

Suggests a sudden or small event led to the fire, often implying accidental ignition.

set off a fire

Similar to 'triggered', but may imply a more deliberate action, though not necessarily malicious.

brought about a fire

More formal and emphasizes the fire as a consequence.

gave rise to a fire

Similar to 'brought about', highlighting the fire's emergence as a result of something.

started a fire

A very general term for initiating a fire, less specific about the triggering event.

led to a fire

Focuses on the sequence of events where something eventually resulted in a fire.

was the reason for a fire

Directly attributes the fire to a specific reason, emphasizing causality.

precipitated a fire

Emphasizes the hastening or accelerating of the fire's occurrence due to some event.

FAQs

What is a good alternative to saying "triggered a fire"?

You can use alternatives such as "caused a fire", "ignited a fire", or "sparked a fire" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "initiated a fire" instead of "triggered a fire"?

Yes, "initiated a fire" is a valid and more formal alternative. It emphasizes the act of starting the fire, similar to "triggered a fire".

What does it mean when something "triggers" a fire?

When something "triggers a fire", it means that it sets off or starts the fire, often unintentionally. The "trigger" is the event or factor that directly leads to the fire's ignition.

Can "triggered a fire" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "triggered a fire" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reports and general discussions. However, for highly formal or scientific writing, alternatives like "caused a fire" or "led to a fire" might be preferred.