a brawl ensued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brawl ensued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a fight or violent confrontation broke out following a specific event or action. Example: "After the heated argument between the two rival groups, a brawl ensued in the middle of the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A brawl ensued.

The New York Times - Sports

A brawl ensued, the employees banded together & went on strike.

The New Yorker

A brawl ensued, delaying the game for nearly 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

After the match, Ryback hit the ring and a brawl ensued.

Independent

A brawl ensued, with Sturtze grabbing Kapler and quickly finding himself outnumbered when Nixon joined in, with Ortiz nearly making it three against one.

The New York Times - Sports

Kahne's crew chief, Tommy Baldwin, sought out Stewart's crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, in the pits after the collision, and a brawl ensued.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A brawl ensues, Antwi is kicked in the head and Nick is dragged away by a policeman.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Naturally, a brawl ensues that features some pretty impressive choreography think The World's End.

Vice

But a minute later, a near brawl ensued under the Kansas basket when Vroman shoved Wayne Simien, who returned after missing 11 games with a dislocated right shoulder.

The New York Times - Sports

A massive brawl ensued, with a member of DRI's road crew getting his arm broken.

Wikipedia

Khan escapes the gas and heads to Engineering, where he attempts to destroy Enterprise, but Kirk confronts him and a brawl ensues.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brawl ensued", ensure the context clearly establishes the preceding event that led to the fight. Clarity in causation strengthens the narrative.

Common error

While "a brawl ensued" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive alternatives like "a conflict erupted" or "a physical altercation followed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brawl ensued" functions as a concise way to describe the immediate consequence of an event, indicating that a physical fight or chaotic altercation began. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in news reports and historical accounts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

30%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a brawl ensued" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe the start of a physical fight or altercation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "a conflict erupted" in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to provide clear context regarding the event that precipitated the "a brawl ensued" for maximum clarity and impact. Consider alternative phrases such as "a fight broke out" or "a scuffle erupted" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fight broke out

Replaces "brawl" with "fight" and "ensued" with "broke out", simplifying the language.

a scuffle erupted

Substitutes "brawl" with "scuffle" and "ensued" with "erupted", suggesting a brief and less intense fight.

a melee began

Uses "melee" to emphasize the chaotic nature of the fight, offering a more vivid description.

fighting commenced

Replaces "brawl" with the gerund "fighting" and "ensued" with the more formal "commenced".

a clash followed

Employs "clash" to denote a conflict and "followed" instead of "ensued", reducing the intensity of the imagery.

violence erupted

Highlights the general outbreak of violence without specifying the type of altercation.

a fracas started

Uses "fracas" to describe a noisy and disorderly disturbance or fight.

hostilities ignited

More formal and implies a beginning of conflict, not necessarily physical.

a disturbance arose

Softens the description, suggesting a general disruption rather than a specific fight.

an altercation occurred

Employs a formal tone to describe the event, suitable for official reports.

FAQs

How can I use "a brawl ensued" in a sentence?

Use "a brawl ensued" to describe the immediate aftermath of an instigating event that leads to a physical fight. For example, "After the heated exchange, "a brawl ensued"."

What can I say instead of "a brawl ensued"?

You can use alternatives such as "a fight broke out", "a scuffle erupted", or "a melee began" depending on the context.

Is "a brawl ensued" formal or informal?

The phrase "a brawl ensued" is generally considered neutral but leans towards informal. More formal alternatives include "a conflict erupted" or "a physical altercation followed".

What's the difference between "a brawl ensued" and "a fight broke out"?

While both phrases describe a physical altercation, "a brawl ensued" suggests a more chaotic and widespread conflict, whereas "a fight broke out" may imply a more localized or contained incident.