which could trigger

USAGE SUMMARY

"which could trigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in a clause that explains a possible outcome or result of the situation described in the previous part of the sentence. Example: The new policy, which could trigger widespread protests, has been met with backlash from the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The main battle group that would be deployed is German-dominated, which could trigger a row.

The Guardian

He said the split would have tax advantages as compared with an auction, which could trigger capital gains tax liabilities.

The New York Times

It has been hailed as a long-term "game changer", which could trigger a global gas glut.

The Guardian - Opinion

The result may be that the UK leaves the union, which could trigger a domino effect throughout the continent.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dollar looks set to weaken, which could trigger a mass sell-off of American securities by foreign investors.

The Economist

But she also pointed out that the patient was on two antidepressants, which could trigger serotonin syndrome.

The New York Times

The Republicans have threatened to impose new sanctions, which could trigger a backlash from hardliners in Tehran who have been equally critical of the negotiations.

The Guardian

Today we point to the option value from the company's pipeline, particularly the imminent data from cardiovascular product candidate darapladib which could trigger significant upgrades.

The Guardian - Business

Obama has also threatened to veto such a bill, which could trigger a government shutdown come 1 October, the start of the new fiscal year.

The Guardian

Bargain-hungry shoppers may, however, fall foul of counterfeiters using the wrong amounts of normal ingredients, especially preservatives, which could trigger an allergic reaction in the unsuspecting.

The Guardian

He remained in the hospital for a month... Writer prescribes a growth factor, G-CSF to encourage white cell growth, which could trigger leukemia..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which could trigger" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing. This phrase is effective for highlighting potential consequences or initiating events within a narrative or analysis.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "which could trigger". Overuse can lead to convoluted and difficult-to-follow sentences. Break up long sentences for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which could trigger" functions as a relative clause introducing a potential consequence or outcome. It connects a preceding noun phrase or clause to a possible result, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which could trigger" is a versatile phrase used to establish a potential cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, especially in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of sentence structure to avoid convoluted constructions and choose it when you want to highlight the initiating event rather than the final outcome. Consider alternatives like "that may lead to" or "that might initiate" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that may lead to

Indicates a progression or sequence of events resulting from the initial action.

that has the potential to cause

Highlights the possibility of a specific outcome, making the causal link more explicit.

that might give rise to

Suggests a more gradual or organic development of the consequence.

that could bring about

Focuses on the realization or materialization of the consequence.

that might initiate

Focuses on the commencement of an action or event, replacing "trigger" with "initiate."

that can generate

Emphasizes the creation or production of a consequence.

that may spark

Emphasizes a sudden or abrupt start, similar to igniting something.

that can set off

Implies a chain reaction or series of events that are initiated.

that has the ability to provoke

Highlights a more forceful or reactive consequence, emphasizing incitement.

that may be responsible for

Directly assigns accountability or causation to the potential trigger.

FAQs

How can I use "which could trigger" in a sentence?

Use "which could trigger" to connect a preceding clause with a potential consequence or result. For example, "The new policy, which could trigger widespread protests, has been met with resistance."

What are some alternatives to "which could trigger"?

You can use alternatives like "that might initiate", "that may lead to", or "that has the potential to cause" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "that could trigger" instead of "which could trigger"?

In many cases, "that could trigger" is also grammatically correct, but "which" is often preferred when introducing a non-restrictive clause providing additional information. Using "that" implies that the clause is essential to understanding what is being referred to.

What is the difference between "which could trigger" and "that may result in"?

"Which could trigger" emphasizes the initiation of an action or event, while "that may result in" focuses more on the final outcome or consequence. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the cause or the effect.