triggering the alarm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triggering the alarm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where an action causes an alarm system to activate, often in security or safety scenarios. Example: "The motion sensor detected movement, triggering the alarm and alerting the security team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Hawaii 's 1.4 million residents were in panic after a worker at the state emergency management agency "pushed the wrong button", triggering the alarm.

The Times

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

Before the recent increase in shoe searches, many frequent fliers had settled on certain traveling shoes after figuring out through trial and error which pairs could be worn through metal detectors without triggering the alarm.

The New York Times - Travel

If you're cooking steaks to get your protein fix and are repeatedly triggering the alarm… switch to soy cheese, or that powdered stuff with topless blokes on the front.

The Guardian

Current injection breaking tests show zero bit eavesdropping ability without triggering the alarm signal, therefore no multiple measurements are needed to build an error statistics to detect the eavesdropping as in quantum communication.

Physics Letters A

The video, posted on YouTube by The Redding Record Searchlight, also shows that moments after he hurled a rock at the sliding-glass front door of Kent's Meats & Groceries, triggering the alarm, the would-be burglar apparently thought better of his crime and immediately turned to run away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Things are forever triggering the alarm letting the cat in, moving a potted plant--and the police insist on coming out to investigate.

The New Yorker

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

Smoke from the firecracker had probably triggered the alarm, Peterson remembered thinking.

The Washington Post

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security systems, use "triggering the alarm" to clearly indicate the action that causes the alarm to activate.

Common error

Avoid using "triggering the alarm" metaphorically when a more precise term is available. Overusing it can dilute its impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "triggering the alarm" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of initiating an alarm, typically in response to a specific event. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "triggering the alarm" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the action of activating an alarm system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in news, science and wiki articles. While there are many alternatives, such as "activating the alarm" or "setting off the alarm", choosing the best option depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the potential for overuse in metaphorical contexts and to ensure clarity in technical writing. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, solidifying its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

activating the alarm

Replaces the gerund "triggering" with the verb "activating", offering a slightly more formal tone.

setting off the alarm

Uses the phrasal verb "set off" which is more informal than "triggering", while retaining the meaning of initiating the alarm.

sounding the alarm

Implies a more active and intentional act of warning, and is often used in metaphorical contexts.

initiating the alert

Substitutes "alarm" with "alert", and "triggering" with "initiating", making it sound more formal and official.

causing the alarm to go off

A more descriptive and less direct way of saying "triggering the alarm", adding more words.

activating the security system

Focuses more on the system being activated rather than just the alarm itself.

tripping the alarm

Uses the verb "trip", which suggests a mechanical or electrical activation.

ringing the alarm bell

More specific by emphasizing the alarm's auditory aspect.

prompting the alarm

Suggests that something led to the alarm going off.

starting the siren

Highlights the siren part of the alarm system.

FAQs

What does "triggering the alarm" mean?

It means causing an alarm system to activate, usually as a response to a detected security breach, fire, or other emergency.

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

You can use alternatives like "activating the alarm", "setting off the alarm", or "sounding the alarm" depending on the context.

Is "triggering the alarm" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "initiating the alert" may be preferred in official documentation.

How to avoid false alarms when designing a system that uses "triggering the alarm"?

Implement multiple layers of verification before "triggering the alarm" to minimize false positives. Use reliable sensors and integrate with video verification systems for accurate threat assessment.