acts of terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acts of terror" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to violent or destructive actions that are intended to cause fear or harm to a specific group of people or society as a whole. Example: The government has declared a state of emergency after a series of acts of terror were carried out in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were convicted of acts of terror.

The New York Times

True, it's less sensational than acts of terror.

The New Yorker

Obama says that "No acts of terror will ever. . .

The Washington Post

Our enemies have threatened other acts of terror.

The Guardian

Badreddine was also linked to acts of terror inside Lebanon.

The New Yorker

It is important to understand what acts of terror are intended to accomplish.

University of California, Berkeley

Israel said he had been planning acts of terror and had been shot while resisting arrest.

The Economist

She was also found guilty of encouraging acts of terror on social media.

Independent

"Whoever commits acts of terror and violence is an enemy to us all," she said.

The New York Times

Indonesian President Joko Widodo labelled the killings "acts of terror" and urged people to remain calm.

Independent

It has committed some subsequent acts of terror, and failed to carry out more.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use credible sources when describing "acts of terror". Rely on news organizations with a reputation for accuracy and impartiality to avoid spreading misinformation or biased perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using overly emotional or sensational language when describing "acts of terror". While it's important to convey the severity of the events, using neutral and factual language helps maintain credibility and avoids contributing to fear or panic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acts of terror" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to specific instances or events involving violence intended to create fear and intimidation. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acts of terror" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe violent actions intended to instill fear, often for political or ideological reasons. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources, including news media, academia, and government reports, demonstrates the phrase's widespread use across various contexts. While typically neutral in tone, the phrase's impact is significant, prompting responses from governments and influencing public discourse. Alternative phrases such as "terrorist acts" or "atrocities" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. However, it's crucial to use the phrase responsibly and avoid sensational language that might exacerbate fear or misinformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terrorist acts

Reverses the word order while maintaining the core meaning.

terror attacks

Substitutes "acts" with "attacks", emphasizing the aggressive nature.

atrocities

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word denoting extreme cruelty and violence.

violent extremism

Shifts the focus to the ideology driving the actions rather than the actions themselves.

campaign of terror

Highlights a sustained and organized series of violent actions.

acts of violence

Broadens the scope to include any violent actions, not necessarily terror-related.

barbaric acts

Focuses on the savagery and inhumanity of the actions.

indiscriminate violence

Emphasizes the random and widespread nature of the violence.

heinous crimes

Highlights the severity and moral reprehensibility of the actions.

criminal violence

Focuses on the illegal nature and intent to harm.

FAQs

How to use "acts of terror" in a sentence?

You can use "acts of terror" to describe violent events intended to cause fear. For example, "The government condemned the recent "acts of terror" and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice."

What can I say instead of "acts of terror"?

You can use alternatives like "terrorist acts", "terror attacks", or "atrocities" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "acts of terror" or "acts of terrorism"?

Both "acts of terror" and "acts of terrorism" are correct, but "acts of terror" is more concise and commonly used. "Acts of terrorism" can emphasize the systematic nature of the violence.

What's the difference between "acts of terror" and "acts of violence"?

"Acts of terror" specifically refers to violence intended to instill fear for political or ideological purposes. "Acts of violence" is a broader term encompassing any violent actions, regardless of motivation.