was touched off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was touched off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the initiation or triggering of an event, often in a dramatic or significant context. Example: "The controversial speech was touched off by the recent political unrest in the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such a scene was touched off by a particularly vicious set of exchanges between Rohullah Nikpah of Afghanistan and Mohammad Bagheri Motamed of Iran, ending when each kicked the other and fell down.

The New York Times - Sports

The furor was touched off by a 1998 article in The Lancet, a British medical journal.

The New York Times - Health

The movement was touched off by the theories of ideal government expounded by Prince Shōtoku.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fire was touched off by the pyrotechnics display of the band Great White.

The New York Times

Badstuber's scuffed low cross was touched off beautifully towards Podolski, first time by Ozil.

The Guardian - Sport

By all accounts, the youthful exuberance was touched off not by politics but by ennui.

The New York Times

The Guardian reported that the dispute was touched off by an essay in The Telegraph written by Mr. Lewis.

The New York Times - Books

But the Golden Hurricane showed great resolve, going on a tear that was touched off by Dante Swanson's 3-pointer.

The New York Times - Sports

It is widely believed here that the present violence was touched off by Mr. Sharon's visit on Thursday.

The New York Times

The fire at the 52,000-acre park, in far southwestern Colorado, was touched off by lightning last Thursday.

The New York Times

A 300,000-franc fire in a box factory at Ghent was touched off by a short circuit caused by the quake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Was touched off" often implies a strong or even volatile beginning. If a more neutral term is needed, consider alternatives like "was initiated".

Common error

While "was touched off" is acceptable in news and general writing, overuse in very formal or academic papers can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for more formal alternatives like "was initiated by" or "stemmed from" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "was touched off" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an event or situation was initiated or triggered by something else. This idiom often suggests a sudden or significant beginning, as Ludwig AI confirms, pointing to numerous examples in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

5%

Sports

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was touched off" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that signifies the initiation or triggering of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news and media to describe the cause of significant occurrences, although encyclopedias and sport reports are also relevant sources. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where a noticeable start or trigger is being emphasized. Related phrases include "was triggered", "was sparked", and "was initiated", each with slight nuances in formality and intensity. When writing, avoid overusing it in strictly formal contexts, and be mindful of its implications of causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was triggered

Direct synonym, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

was sparked

Similar to 'touched off', but suggests a sudden and energetic beginning.

was set off

Implies a chain reaction or a series of events following the initial trigger.

was initiated

More formal, indicating a deliberate start or commencement.

was prompted

Suggests that something encouraged or motivated the start of an event.

was caused by

Focuses on the direct cause or reason for an event.

stemmed from

Suggests that an event originated or developed from a particular source.

resulted from

Indicates that an event was a consequence or outcome of something else.

arose from

Implies that an event emerged or came into existence as a result of something.

originated from

Highlights the point of origin or the beginning of an event.

FAQs

What does "was touched off" mean?

The phrase "was touched off" means something was started or initiated, often suddenly or unexpectedly. It implies a cause-and-effect relationship where one event triggers another.

What can I say instead of "was touched off"?

You can use alternatives like "was triggered", "was sparked", or "was initiated" depending on the context.

Is "was touched off" formal or informal?

"Was touched off" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for news articles and general writing, but more formal alternatives may be better for academic or professional contexts.

How to use "was touched off" in a sentence?

Example: "The riot "was touched off" by the controversial verdict." This means the riot started because of the verdict.