which triggers

USAGE SUMMARY

'which triggers' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that causes or initiates an event. For example, "The sound of the alarm clock triggers the start of his daily routine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nobody's happy, which triggers in the audience's mind the question, 'Why?' " Mr. Panahi said.

The New York Times

All it takes is a quick plane flight overhead, which triggers an inevitable, unavoidable crash.

The Guardian - Tech

Missions usually involve picking a star system, planet or mobile target which triggers the attached events.

The Guardian - Tech

They may do something stupid, which triggers an anti-trust investigation.

The New Yorker

The companies are presented as expanding their reserves, which triggers stock-price increases and executive bonuses.

The New Yorker

What he did wasn't commercial use, which triggers the legal issues.

The New York Times - Tech

But they become more offensive after reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul," which triggers emotional elevation, or after smelling a mock-flatulence spray, which triggers disgust.

The New York Times

It triggers the industrial revolution, about 250 years ago, which triggers in turn the information revolution, about 50 years ago, which triggers the biotechnological revolution, which is still wet behind the ears.

The Guardian - Books

The room which triggers most response from visitors is undoubtedly the first, where Keith Tyson's work is on display.

The Guardian - Arts

Amid all the party pieces, one song is almost overshadowed: The Lass of Aughrim, which triggers a buried memory.

The Guardian

If we fail to pay, the books are removed, which triggers another fee; so we pay or we pay.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "leads to" or "results in" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "Which" is appropriate when the clause provides additional, non-essential information, whereas "that" is used for essential clauses. For example, "The alarm, which triggers immediately, woke everyone up" is correct, while "The alarm that triggers immediately is faulty" implies only one specific alarm triggers immediately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which triggers" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about the noun it modifies. It indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

55%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which triggers" functions as a relative clause denoting causation, frequently used in both news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. Alternatives such as "which leads to" or "which results in" can add variety to your writing. Remember to use "which" for nonrestrictive clauses and "that" for restrictive ones to maintain grammatical accuracy. With high source quality and an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a reliable choice for expressing cause-and-effect relationships clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which leads to

This alternative directly indicates a sequential outcome or consequence, similar to triggering an event.

which results in

This phrase emphasizes the outcome of an action or event, mirroring the causative nature of "which triggers".

which causes

This option is a more straightforward synonym, directly expressing causation.

that initiates

Focuses on the starting action of a process or event, close to triggering.

that sets off

Emphasizes the initiation of a chain reaction or sequence of events.

that prompts

Implies a more subtle instigation, suggesting encouragement rather than direct causation.

that sparks

Suggests a sudden or energetic beginning, often used for discussions or conflicts.

that gives rise to

Indicates the creation or emergence of something new as a result.

that actuates

This term suggests a formal or mechanical activation, often used in technical contexts.

that precipitates

Implies an abrupt or hastened occurrence, suggesting an event is brought on more quickly.

FAQs

How can I use "which triggers" in a sentence?

Use "which triggers" to introduce a clause that explains what causes something else to happen. For example, "The loud noise, which triggers anxiety, made her uncomfortable."

What can I say instead of "which triggers"?

You can use alternatives like "which leads to", "which results in", or "which causes" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that triggers" instead of "which triggers"?

While "that triggers" might be acceptable in some contexts, "which triggers" is generally preferred for nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information. If the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning, "that" is appropriate, otherwise use "which".

What's the difference between "which triggers" and "that triggers"?

"Which triggers" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional information that isn't essential to the sentence's core meaning. "That triggers" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for identifying the noun it modifies. For example, "The alarm, which triggers easily, is sensitive" (nonrestrictive) versus "The alarm that triggers easily needs repair" (restrictive).