triggered debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"triggered debate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where discussing a certain topic began after a particular event. For example: "The introduction of the new law triggered debate amongst politicians about its implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Now AP appears to have revised that description to "champagne", an act that has triggered debate about fashion's use of the word "nude".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

McIlroy's decision on whether to represent Great Britain or Ireland when golf returns to the Olympics in four years' time has also triggered debate.

The Guardian - Sport

A photo posted to a Facebook group triggered debate just as furious as that surrounding The Dress ��� is it Murray impersonating a crying baby, or is it Hanks?

The Guardian - Film

Calls to replace London's judicial committee of the privy council with the Caribbean court of justice, as Jamaica's final appellate jurisdiction, have triggered debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

This measure triggered debate with people asking just what kind of breathalyser they would need, how reliable would they be and would drunks, who are already prepared to break the law by driving, pay any attention to them anyway?

The Economist

The new paper updates a study carried out by Nutt and others in 2007, which was also published by the Lancet and triggered debate for suggesting that legally available alcohol and tobacco were more dangerous than cannabis and LSD.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Both pieces triggered debates about what constituted "canned laughter", and what affect a laughter track had on screened comedy.

The Guardian

After all, this would resemble 'turkeys voting for Christmas.' This question is all the more pressing as the 2008 economic crisis triggered debates about reducing the number of parliamentarians.

Electoral Studies

They have also triggered debates among scientists, security experts, and officials within various branches of the U.S. government.

Science Magazine

Robert Mapplethorpe was an artist whose works often caused such a stir they triggered debates and lawsuits over the nature of art.

Vice

Trump's decision to disinvite the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles from a planned White House ceremony has triggered debates over the purpose of sports teams' visits and whether politics should influence the decision to go.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "triggered debate" to clearly indicate that a specific event or action was the catalyst for a discussion or controversy. It is especially effective when emphasizing the direct link between the cause and the resulting debate.

Common error

Avoid using "triggered debate" repeatedly within a short span of text. Opt for synonyms like "sparked discussion" or "led to debate" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "triggered debate" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. It describes an action (triggering) that results in a state of discussion or contention. Ludwig shows that this construction is frequently used to express the initiation of a discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "triggered debate" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys the initiation of a discussion or controversy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood. It is versatile enough for various contexts, but is most often found in news and scientific publications. To enhance your writing, consider synonyms like "sparked discussion" or "led to debate" to avoid repetition. Be mindful of the context to ensure you choose the most appropriate alternative. Overall, "triggered debate" is a reliable phrase for expressing the relationship between an event and the resulting discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prompted discussion

Replaces "triggered" with "prompted", indicating a gentler initiation of the discussion.

led to debate

Highlights the causal relationship between an event and the subsequent debate.

sparked discussion

Replaces "debate" with "discussion", implying a less formal or intense exchange.

incited debate

Similar to "triggered", but suggests a more active and potentially negative instigation of the debate.

instigated discussion

Similar to "incited discussion", but possibly carrying a more neutral connotation.

ignited controversy

Substitutes "debate" with "controversy", suggesting a more heated and polarized discussion.

set off a controversy

Similar to "ignited controversy", emphasizing the sudden and potentially disruptive nature of the debate.

gave rise to discussion

More formal and indirect way of saying something started a debate.

brought about debate

Emphasizes the result of something causing a debate to exist.

occasioned discussion

A more formal alternative to "triggered debate", suggesting a specific event prompted the discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "triggered debate" in a sentence?

You can use "triggered debate" to show that a specific event or action caused a discussion. For example, "The politician's controversial statement "triggered debate" across the nation".

What can I say instead of "triggered debate"?

Alternatives include "sparked discussion", "ignited controversy", or "prompted discussion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "triggered debate" or "led to debate"?

"Led to debate" is slightly more formal than "triggered debate". "Triggered debate" implies a more immediate and direct causation, while "led to debate" suggests a more gradual development.

What is the difference between "triggered debate" and "incited debate"?

"Incited debate" suggests a more deliberate or potentially negative instigation of the discussion, implying a stronger intent to provoke a response. "Triggered debate" is more neutral, simply indicating cause and effect.