What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instigating
Example
The group was accused of instigating the riot. [instigating: verb]
Example
He was known for instigating fights among his classmates. [instigating: gerund or present participle]
triggering
Example
The movie scene was triggering for some viewers who had experienced trauma. [triggering: adjective]
Example
The alarm clock triggered the start of the race. [triggered: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Triggering is more commonly used than instigating in everyday language. Triggering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instigating is less common and often has a negative connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between instigating and triggering?
Both instigating and triggering can be used in formal and informal contexts, but instigating is more likely to be associated with an informal or negative tone.
