a double attack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a double attack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two simultaneous or coordinated attacks are being described, whether in a military, strategic, or metaphorical sense. Example: "The team launched a double attack on their competitors, targeting both their marketing and product development strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Arsène Wenger must be getting used to criticism from other managers, but yesterday he came under a double attack from Owen Coyle and Sam Allardyce.

The Guardian - Sport

What is so impressive is seeing the manner in which he mounts a double attack, taking on the claim that "feelings, emotions and thoughts are reducible to nerve impulses" as both bad science and bad philosophy.

The Guardian - Books

With a double attack on funding, through changes to trade union rules and cuts to statutory money for opposition parties, Cameron and George Osborne are threatening Labour's very existence, at the same time as doing nothing to cap donations from wealthy individuals who buy access to Cabinet ministers.

Independent

At least four people have been killed and seven injured in a double attack by female suicide bombers near a market in Kano, northern Nigeria, police say.

BBC

just loses a pawn after 7...Nxf4 whereas 7.Bd2?! Qe7! causes White great problems: both the pawn f4 and e4 pawns are attacked, and 8.Bxb4 Qxb4+ results in a double attack against b2 and f4.

Wikipedia

Last month, Chad's national assembly voted to unanimously extend the state of emergency in the western Lake Chad region by four months, after a double attack by Boko Haram militants left 12 people dead.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And the equaliser finally arrived following a double attacking substitution by Eagles boss Tony Pulis.

BBC

Rosler, seemingly desperate to take a lead into the return leg, made a double attacking substitution with 15 minutes remaining, introducing strikers Martyn Waghorn and Nicky Maynard.

BBC

Omar Fidai, 14, said he was part of a double-attack plan at a Sufi shrine in Dera Ghazi Khan city.

BBC

A blunder, running into a double-attack.

Huffington Post

Speed modifies the number of times a combatant can attack each turn; if one combatant's speed is a certain level higher than the opponent, they may "double" attack an opponent, meaning that they can attack the opponent twice while only receiving one counterattack.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a double attack", ensure the context clearly indicates what two elements are being attacked or are attacking. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a double attack" when only one attack with multiple facets is intended. Use it only when there are clearly two distinct attacking actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a double attack" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event involving two coordinated or simultaneous actions. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing military strategies, political criticisms, and terrorist actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a double attack" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an event involving two simultaneous or coordinated attacks. According to Ludwig, its usage spans contexts from military strategy to political criticism, with primary occurrences in news and media sources. While not exceptionally frequent, its meaning is clear. When using this phrase, ensure the context specifies the dual nature of the attack to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include ""a coordinated assault"" or ""a two-pronged offensive"", depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a coordinated assault

Emphasizes the planned and synchronized nature of the attack.

a two-pronged offensive

Highlights the dual nature of the assault, suggesting two distinct approaches.

a dual offensive

Highlights the duality of the attack in a more straightforward way.

a simultaneous strike

Focuses on the concurrent timing of the attacks.

a combined offensive

Stresses the joined or unified aspect of the attack.

a twofold assault

Uses a more formal tone to indicate the two-part nature of the attack.

a joint assault

Similar to combined offensive but suggests cooperation between different entities.

a tandem strike

Emphasizes the close coordination and sequence of the attacks.

a pincer movement

Implies an encirclement strategy, with attacks from opposing directions.

a layered assault

Suggests attacks occurring in sequence or with distinct phases.

FAQs

How can I use "a double attack" in a sentence?

You can use "a double attack" to describe situations involving two coordinated or simultaneous attacks. For instance, "The company faced "a double attack" from competitors launching new products and lowering prices simultaneously.".

What are some alternatives to "a double attack"?

Some alternatives to "a double attack" include "a coordinated assault", "a two-pronged offensive", or "a simultaneous strike", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a double attack" in formal writing?

Yes, "a double attack" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in news, reports, or strategic analyses. However, consider more precise alternatives like "a twofold assault" or "a dual offensive" for enhanced formality.

What is the difference between "a double attack" and "a single attack"?

"A double attack" refers to two distinct and often coordinated attacks, whereas "a single attack" refers to one individual attack. The distinction lies in the number and coordination of the attacking actions.