Cool MateInduce vs Trigger
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Induce
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1verb
Trigger
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most formal: InduceMost common: Trigger
| Induce | Trigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdjuːs/","/ɪnˈdjuːsɪz/","/ɪnˈdjuːst/","/ɪnˈdjuːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈduːs/","/ɪnˈduːsɪz/","/ɪnˈduːst/","/ɪnˈduːsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtrɪɡə(r)/","/ˈtrɪɡəz/","/ˈtrɪɡəd/","/ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtrɪɡər/","/ˈtrɪɡərz/","/ˈtrɪɡərd/","/ˈtrɪɡərɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to cause something to happen | To cause something to happen. |
| Example | Nothing would induce me to take the job. | Nuts can trigger off a violent allergic reaction. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | induce a reaction, induce labor, induce pain, induce change, induce sleep | trigger a response, trigger an alarm, trigger emotions, trigger a memory, trigger a reaction |
| Antonyms | prevent, stop | calm, deactivate, stop |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'reduce' - they mean different things., Using 'induce' with non-causative subjects - it should always have an object. | Using 'trigger' without an object (e.g. 'The noise triggered' instead of 'The noise triggered a reaction')., Confusing with 'triggered' as a noun., Mixing up with 'impact' or 'affect' too broadly. |
| Usage notes | Often used in medical or scientific contexts to describe causing a reaction or condition. Not typically used in everyday conversation. | Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. Often used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship, especially in psychology or discussions about emotions. Avoid when discussing less serious or trivial matters. |
Frequently asked questions: Induce vs Trigger
What's the difference between Induce and Trigger?
Induce: to cause something to happen Trigger: To cause something to happen.
Which is more formal: Induce and Trigger?
Induce is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Induce and Trigger?
Trigger is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Induce and Trigger?
Induce is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Induce and Trigger the same CEFR level?
Induce: C1, Trigger: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Induce and Trigger?
Induce: verb, Trigger: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Induce: Nothing would induce me to take the job. Trigger: Nuts can trigger off a violent allergic reaction.
Can I use Induce and Trigger interchangeably?
Not always. Induce and Trigger are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.