a war breaks out

USAGE SUMMARY

"a war breaks out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but it typically refers to a sudden outbreak of armed conflict between two or more nations or groups. Here are some examples: - "Tensions between the two countries had been rising for years, and finally, a war broke out." - "The peaceful protests turned violent, and before we knew it, a war broke out on the streets." - "Nobody expected it, but a full-scale war broke out following the assassination of the president." - "The relationship between the two neighboring countries was fragile, so when a border dispute occurred, a war broke out almost immediately." - "Despite efforts to prevent it, a war broke out in the region, causing significant devastation and loss of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But the Pentagon probably still has his cell number in case a war breaks out.

The New York Times

K. Adie (Kate), a watcher getting broadcast when a war breaks out (anag. less a war).

The Guardian

"Of course, if a war breaks out in a significant way or something like that happens," he said, "then I would give you a different answer.

The New York Times

Marshall returned to westerns with The Savage (1952), which starred Charlton Heston as a white settler who is raised by Native Americans and becomes torn between the two cultures when a war breaks out.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If a war breaks out on this land, it will bring nothing but a nuclear holocaust," said the editorial, carried in the leading official newspapers in the North and read on state television there.

The New York Times

"If a war breaks out on this land, it will bring nothing but a nuclear holocaust," said the editorial, carried in the leading official newspapers on Saturday in the North and read on state television there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We as a family thought we should be together in case a war broke out.

The Guardian

The history goes back 10 years, when a war broke out in the middle of Europe.

The New York Times - Magazine

A war broke out in 1980 after Saddam Hussein claimed the river for Iraq.

The New York Times

If the prototype were implemented and a war broke out in Greece, soldiers could scope out the building in advance.

The New York Times

In 2000, for instance, a war broke out between Time Warner and Disney over the cost of Disney's cable channels and ended up with Time Warner blocking ABC from transmission.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a war breaks out" to describe the sudden and unexpected commencement of hostilities. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense when describing a war that is currently happening. For example, instead of "a war had broken out", use "a war breaks out" or "a war broke out" depending on the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a war breaks out" functions as a declarative statement, describing the commencement of armed conflict. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a war breaks out" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the beginning of armed conflict. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves the primary purpose of informing an audience about the commencement of hostilities. Alternative phrases, such as "war erupts" or "hostilities commence", offer variations in tone and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense usage and consider the specific context to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

war erupts

Focuses on the sudden and violent beginning of the war.

warfare begins

A more straightforward and literal way of saying a war has started.

hostilities commence

Emphasizes the formal start of military actions.

conflict ignites

Uses metaphorical language to describe the beginning of the war.

war is triggered

Highlights the event that caused the war to start.

fighting flares up

Highlights a sudden increase in violence.

an armed conflict arises

A more descriptive and less common way of saying a war has started.

conflict escalates

Describes the intensification of an existing conflict into a full-scale war.

battle is joined

A more formal and archaic way to describe the start of a war.

state of war exists

Focuses on the formal declaration or recognition of a war.

FAQs

How can I use "a war breaks out" in a sentence?

You can use "a war breaks out" to describe the commencement of armed conflict, as in "Tensions escalated, and "a war breaks out" between the two nations".

What's a more formal way to say "a war breaks out"?

More formal alternatives include "hostilities commence" or "armed conflict arises", depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is correct: "a war breaks out" or "war breaks out"?

"A war breaks out" is generally preferred, as it provides a clearer and more grammatically complete statement. Omitting the article "a" is less common.

What's the difference between ""a war breaks out"" and "a war broke out"?

"A war breaks out" implies a present or future event, while "a war broke out" refers to an event that occurred in the past.