a shooting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shooting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an incident involving gunfire, typically in the context of violence or crime. Example: "The news reported that there was a shooting at the local mall last night, causing panic among shoppers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somebody had donated a shooting stick.

The New Yorker

I don't know about a shooting.

The New York Times

A shooting clinic this was not.

The New York Times - Sports

"A shooting star!

The Guardian - Opinion

That implies a shooting every four days.

The Economist

"This was a shooting war," he said.

Independent

There was a shooting in our auditorium.

The New York Times

"We needed a shooting guard," Waddell said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Just a shooting pain," Wade said.

The New York Times - Sports

A shooting star whizzes in.

The Guardian

Here, that's a shooting percentage.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on an event, use "a shooting" to concisely refer to an incident involving firearms. Be sure to provide context regarding location, people involved, and circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "a shooting" interchangeably with terms like "mass shooting" or "shootout" unless the specific details align with the event. "A shooting" is a general term, while the others are specific types of incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shooting" functions primarily as a noun phrase, designating an event or incident where someone is shot with a firearm. This is supported by Ludwig examples, where it's used in contexts describing events and incidents, such as "There was a shooting in our auditorium."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shooting" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an event involving gunfire. As Ludwig examples show, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts to report on incidents of violence or crime. While the term itself is generally neutral in register, the subject matter it describes often carries serious implications. When using the phrase, it's important to provide appropriate context and avoid using it interchangeably with more specific terms like "mass shooting" or "shootout". Alternative phrases such as "gunfire incident" or "firearms incident" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shooting incident

It is simply a more verbose version, but with same meaning and structure

an incident involving gunfire

Emphasizes the use of firearms and the event-like nature.

a firearms incident

Highlights the involvement of firearms in the event.

a gun attack

Highlights the attack nature of the shooting and that involves a gun.

an act of gun violence

Focuses on the violent nature of the incident.

an armed assault

Highlights the assault nature of the shooting

a gunfire exchange

Suggests a reciprocal exchange of gunfire between parties.

a burst of gunfire

Emphasizes a short, intense period of shooting.

a barrage of gunfire

Emphasizes a large quantity of shots fired.

a hail of bullets

Focuses on the intensity and volume of projectiles.

FAQs

How to use "a shooting" in a sentence?

You can use "a shooting" to describe an event where someone is shot, such as, "There was "a shooting" at the local park last night".

What can I say instead of "a shooting"?

Alternatives include "gunfire incident", "firearms incident", or "gun violence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a shooting" or "shooting"?

"A shooting" refers to a specific incident, while "shooting" can refer to the act of firing a weapon in general. For example, "A shooting occurred at the school" versus "He enjoys target shooting".

What's the difference between "a shooting" and "a shootout"?

"A shooting" is a general term for an incident where someone is shot. "A shootout" implies an exchange of gunfire between two or more parties, like "a gunfight".