an attack of this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attack of this" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in a context where you are referring to a specific type of attack, but it needs additional information to clarify what "this" refers to. Example: "After experiencing an attack of this nature, the team decided to implement new security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Coincidences are logical in an attack of this size".

The New York Times

This is why an attack of this nature would be bad for everyone involved.

Independent

But experts said it seemed implausible that this method would create an attack of this scale.

The New York Times

North Korea certainly has the capability to carry out an attack of this nature.

The Guardian - Tech

Algeria has never faced an attack of this scale on its southern gas fields.

The Guardian

Authorities said that although alligators are indigenous to Florida, an attack of this nature is unusual.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Whenever an attack of 'I-can't-take-this-any-longer' would hit me, I'd put it all into lengthy diatribes to my distant guru, Otto Frank".

The New Yorker

Yet, unfortunately, the public sector has come under an attack of a different kind this election year, one that not only marginalizes the inherent value of government service but also misrepresents and undermines the role of government in our society.

Huffington Post

But what slowly became clear was that this was an attack of especial barbarism, because it was so personal.

The New York Times

This provoked an attack of 1-week duration, and he was advised to refrain from intensive physical activity.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

He says the attacker is exploiting a browser quirk that makes an extended attack of this kind simple and cheap.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an attack of this", ensure the context clearly identifies what "this" refers to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an attack of this" without a clear antecedent. Always ensure the reader knows exactly what event or situation "this" is referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attack of this" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (often implied) and specifying a particular attack. As shown in Ludwig, it sets the context to a previously mentioned or understood attack.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an attack of this" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to refer back to a specific instance or type of attack. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral register making it suitable for a wide range of analytical and descriptive writing. To ensure clarity, it's important to make clear what "this" refers to. Related phrases such as "an incident of this type" or "an assault of this kind" can offer more descriptive alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an assault of this kind

Replaces "attack" with "assault" and "this" with "this kind", maintaining the meaning while altering the specific wording.

an offensive of this nature

Substitutes "attack" with "offensive" and "this" with "this nature", providing a more formal tone.

a strike of this magnitude

Replaces "attack" with "strike" and "this" with "this magnitude", focusing on the scale of the event.

an incident of this type

Changes "attack" to the more neutral "incident" and uses "type" instead of "this", broadening the context.

a violation of this severity

Replaces "attack" with "violation" and "this" with "this severity", highlighting the harmful aspect of the event.

an act of this proportion

Substitutes "attack" with "act" and focuses on the "proportion" to emphasize the scale.

an aggression of this scale

Replaces "attack" with "aggression" maintaining a negative connotation but focuses on the size of the "scale".

an instance of this sort

Uses "instance" instead of "attack" and "sort" instead of "this" offering a more generic reference.

a breach of this intensity

Replaces "attack" with "breach" and focuses on the "intensity" of the event.

an eruption of this kind

Substitutes "attack" with "eruption", suggesting a sudden and forceful event, while using "kind" instead of "this".

FAQs

How can I use "an attack of this" in a sentence?

Use "an attack of this" to refer back to a specific type of attack that has already been mentioned or is clearly understood within the context. For example, "After "an attack of this magnitude", security measures were significantly increased".

What are some alternatives to saying "an attack of this"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an incident of this type", "an assault of this kind", or "a strike of this magnitude".

Is it appropriate to use "an attack of this" in formal writing?

Yes, "an attack of this" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing events in news reports or analytical pieces. However, ensure clarity by clearly defining what "this" refers to earlier in the text.

What is the difference between "an attack of this nature" and "an attack of this scale"?

"An attack of this nature" refers to the characteristics and type of the attack, while "an attack of this scale" refers to the size and scope of the attack. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the type or the magnitude of the attack.