active shooter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "active shooter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in discussions about incidents involving individuals who are actively engaged in shooting at people in a populated area. Example: "The school went into lockdown after reports of an active shooter on campus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's an active shooter!

The Guardian

All personnel enact active shooter protocols immediately.

Independent

Lockdown drills, active shooter drills.

The New York Times - Arts

The notion of an "active shooter" did not yet exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The active shooter continued toward the entrance to the Government.

The New York Times

Active shooter incident reported at CASCOM HQ, Bldg.

Independent

The active shooter went down, knocking into a metal railing.

The New York Times

The school's public address system announced an active shooter.

The Guardian

The students had practiced to deal with an active shooter.

The Washington Post

Was there an active shooter in the building?

The New York Times

There was an active shooter on the property.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "active shooter" precisely to describe situations where an individual is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Do not use it for isolated incidents of gun violence.

Common error

Avoid using "active shooter" to describe situations that do not fit the specific definition, such as a single incident of shots fired without an intent to harm multiple people in a populated area. Misusing the term can cause unnecessary panic and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "active shooter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying an individual engaged in a specific type of violent act. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

7%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "active shooter" is a commonly used term, primarily in News & Media and academic contexts, to describe an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves as a warning of immediate danger. While alternatives like "armed assailant" exist, "active shooter" is the established term for this specific type of event. It's crucial to use the term accurately to avoid causing unnecessary panic. When writing about this subject, prioritizing factual reporting and providing actionable safety information is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Armed assailant

Focuses on the fact that the shooter is armed and attacking.

Ongoing shooting incident

Highlights the active nature and immediacy of the shooting event.

Perpetrator of a mass shooting

Emphasizes the mass scale of the shooting and the person responsible.

Shooter in progress

Uses different words to point out that there is a shooter currently shooting.

Current shooting event

Focuses on the event of the shooting.

Individual engaged in a shooting

A more descriptive way to describe that person who's currently shooting.

Gunman on the loose

Highlights the unrestricted movement and threat posed by the shooter.

Shooting suspect

Focuses on the shooter from a legal or investigative perspective.

Attacker with a firearm

Highlights that an attacker is using a firearm.

Violent gunman

Places emphasis on the act of violence.

FAQs

How is the term "active shooter" typically used?

The term "active shooter" is typically used to describe a situation where an individual is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. It's often used in news reports, emergency alerts, and safety protocols.

What should I do if I encounter an "active shooter" situation?

The recommended response in an "active shooter" situation is to run, hide, or fight. Run if there is an escape path, hide if running is not possible, and fight as a last resort if your life is in imminent danger.

What are some alternative phrases for "active shooter"?

Some alternative phrases for "active shooter" include "armed assailant", "ongoing shooting incident", or "perpetrator of a mass shooting", depending on the context.

How can I prepare for a potential "active shooter" situation?

You can prepare by familiarizing yourself with the "run, hide, fight" protocol, participating in "active shooter" drills, and being aware of your surroundings. It is also useful to know the emergency procedures in your workplace or school.