a standing army

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a standing army" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a permanent, professional army that is maintained during peacetime as well as wartime. Example: "The debate over the necessity of a standing army has been a contentious issue in political circles for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A standing army was organized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By means of a standing army.

The Economist

Did he maintain a standing army?

The Guardian - Books

Building a standing army and strong navy 15.

The New York Times

The growing requirements of a standing army depopulated the countryside and concentrated veterans in the city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They swept a 2008 election and retain both a standing army and support among poorer Nepalis.

The Economist

PWG had decided to build a standing army, for which it would need a base.

The Guardian - Books

But vulgarity can be the best weapon against a standing army of platitudes and pieties.

The New York Times

By Jill Lepore The U.S. once regarded a standing army as a form of tyranny.

The New Yorker

There should be a standing Army of about three and a half generations.

The New Yorker

A standing army and a fleet of war canoes were organized under the command of a general and an admiral.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical contexts, use "a standing army" to specifically denote a permanent, professional military force maintained during both peace and war. This distinguishes it from militias or conscripted forces raised only during conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "a standing army" when referring to temporary or ad hoc military units. The term specifically implies a permanent and continuously maintained military organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a standing army" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. It refers to a permanent, professional military force. Ludwig provides examples across various domains, demonstrating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a standing army" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase referring to a permanent, professional military force. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for discussing military history, defense policies, and geopolitical strategies. Related phrases such as "permanent military force" and "professional army" offer alternative ways to express this concept, while understanding its distinction from temporary militias is crucial for accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a permanent military force

Focuses on the enduring nature of the military.

a professional army

Emphasizes the trained and skilled nature of the army.

a regular army

Highlights the established and routine nature of the military.

a career military

Implies a long-term commitment from its members.

a standing defense force

Emphasizes the defensive role of the military.

a peacetime army

Highlights the maintenance of an army even during times of peace.

a national army

Focuses on the army being representative of the entire nation.

a conscripted army

Implies the mandatory enlistment of citizens.

an active duty military

Emphasizes the ready and operational status.

military establishment

Refers to the overall system and organization of the armed forces.

FAQs

How is "a standing army" different from a militia?

A "standing army" is a permanent, professional military force maintained in peacetime and wartime, while a militia is a temporary force composed of civilians who are called upon for emergencies.

What are some synonyms for "a standing army"?

Alternatives to "a standing army" include "permanent military force", "professional army", or "regular army", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Why did some early Americans oppose "a standing army"?

Many early Americans viewed "a standing army" as a potential tool for oppression by the government, fearing it could be used to suppress dissent and violate individual liberties. They preferred relying on citizen militias for defense.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "a standing army"?

The term "a standing army" is appropriate when discussing the formal military structure of a nation, its defense policies, or historical periods where the concept of a permanent army was debated or established. For example, the creation of "a standing army" in many European nations was crucial to the development of their state system.