a preview of attacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preview of attacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an advance look or summary of potential aggressive actions or strategies, often in contexts like gaming, cybersecurity, or military planning. Example: "The report provided a preview of attacks that could be expected in the upcoming conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. McCain proceeded to offer a preview of attacks for his Democratic rival.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a preview of the attack-counter-attack expected in the weeks to come, Republicans anticipated the charge and shot back.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney also offered a preview of the attacks he will most likely open against both Mr. Santorum and Newt Gingrich going forward.

The New York Times

Her tough tactics are the stuff of legend in Albany; when the administration of Gov. George E. Pataki considered hospital cuts that 1199 opposed, she was known to give Pataki officials a preview of the attack advertisements the union planned to run against the administration, a strategy meant to unnerve the governor.

The New York Times

Trump offered a preview of the attack last month ― calling Clinton an "enabler" of "the single greatest abuser of women in the history of politics".

Huffington Post

The campaigns gave a preview of their attack lines in dueling calls with the press on Tuesday, bringing out Latino lawmakers and former officials to do so.

Huffington Post

In a speech from the Senate floor last week, Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid gave a preview of what these attacks might look like, targeting Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for saying he would back his party's presidential nominee.

Vice

The fund-raiser was Mr. Obama's first overtly political event since the deal over the debt ceiling was reached, and he threw a few jabs that offered a preview of his line of attack on the Republicans as Washington catches its breath and girds for another round of debate over how to cut the towering federal debt.

The New York Times

In a statement, he directed a shot at Mr. Davis and the Democratic majority that might be a preview of the Republican line of attack in the recall campaign.

The New York Times

The letter offered a preview of Mr. Paladino's possible points of attack against Mr. Cuomo, who retains a healthy lead in polls.

The New York Times

The attack could offer a preview of a much-anticipated offensive expected this year in an attempt to recapture a larger objective: the city of Mosul, 140 miles up the Tigris from Tikrit.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preview of attacks", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of attacks are being previewed, such as cyberattacks, military offensives, or strategic moves in a game.

Common error

Avoid implying that a "preview of attacks" represents the actual attacks themselves. The preview should only suggest or hint at what the full attacks might entail, not depict them in their entirety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preview of attacks" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes an advance showing or indication of potential hostile actions. Ludwig confirms this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preview of attacks" is a noun phrase that signifies a preliminary look at potential hostile actions. As validated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media contexts, with applications extending to science and, to a lesser degree, formal business settings. The phrase serves to inform or warn about possible future aggression, and its effectiveness lies in providing clear insights into potential threats. Alternative phrases include "early indication of assaults" and "preliminary glimpse of offensives", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using the phrase, it's crucial to clarify the nature of the attacks and avoid implying they are currently underway.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early indication of assaults

Focuses on the indicative nature of the preview.

early warning of impending attacks

Stresses the cautionary aspect of the preview, highlighting the imminence of the attacks.

preliminary glimpse of offensives

Replaces "preview" with "glimpse" and "attacks" with "offensives", emphasizing the brief and initial nature of the view.

sneak peek at future offensives

Uses more informal language, suggesting a less formal or serious context.

precursory look at aggressive actions

Replaces "preview" with "precursory look", emphasizing the introductory nature of the viewing.

advance notice of aggression

Highlights the forewarning aspect of the attacks.

foreshadowing of incoming assaults

Emphasizes the predictive element of the preview.

foretaste of hostilities

Uses more formal language to describe the imminent conflict.

pre-emptive view of aggressions

Highlights the proactive assessment of the attacks.

initial forecast of strikes

Frames the preview as a prediction or projection.

FAQs

How can "a preview of attacks" be used effectively in cybersecurity contexts?

In cybersecurity, "a preview of attacks" can describe threat intelligence reports or simulations that model potential cyber threats. This helps organizations prepare defenses, understand vulnerabilities, and mitigate risks before actual attacks occur. These reports provide a "early warning of impending attacks".

What distinguishes "a preview of attacks" from an actual attack?

While "a preview of attacks" involves analyzing potential threats or simulating attacks, it doesn't execute them. It's a preparatory phase that allows for strategic planning and defense. In contrast, an actual attack involves deploying harmful elements to disrupt systems and steal data. Therefore, the "preliminary glimpse of offensives" should not be confused with real assaults.

Could you provide examples of "a preview of attacks" in gaming strategies?

In gaming, "a preview of attacks" could refer to watching a replay of an opponent's strategy or analyzing possible moves. This allows players to anticipate and counteract potential assaults, thus enhancing their strategic decision-making. You can consider this like a "pre-emptive view of aggressions".

How does "a preview of attacks" apply to military strategy and defense planning?

In military contexts, "a preview of attacks" might involve reconnaissance missions or intelligence gathering that helps commanders understand enemy capabilities and anticipate upcoming offensives. This allows for informed decisions about resource deployment and defensive measures. This is effectively an "early indication of assaults".