an attack on the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an attack on the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing criticism or opposition directed towards a person, group, idea, or institution. Example: "The article was perceived as an attack on the government's policies regarding climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That could render an attack on the known ones pointless.

The Economist

This was an attack on the protesters.

The New York Times

"They're an attack on the revolution".

The New York Times

It's an attack on the free world.

Independent

It's an attack on the F.B.I.

The New York Times

This is an attack on the media.

The Guardian

"This is not an attack on the hunts per se.

The Guardian

"It's an attack on the media as a whole".

The New York Times

This was deemed to be an attack on the sultan.

The Economist

More bombings followed, including an attack on the Indonesian parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much of life is an attack on the senses.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an attack on the" when describing a direct assault, criticism, or challenge against a specific entity, concept, or group. Ensure the noun following "the" is clearly defined and understood in context.

Common error

Avoid using "an attack on the" when describing minor disagreements or simple differences of opinion. This phrase implies a significant and often harmful action, so reserve it for situations that warrant such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an attack on the" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adjectival modifier to a noun or pronoun. It signifies a hostile action, either physical or verbal, directed towards a specific target. Ludwig's examples show the breadth of subjects it can modify.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an attack on the" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a hostile action or strong criticism directed at a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts, primarily within News & Media. While alternatives exist, such as "an assault upon the" or "a criticism of the", "an attack on the" is most suitable for conveying a direct and often forceful opposition. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in the intended target and avoid its overuse in trivial or minor disagreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an assault upon the

Replaces "attack" with "assault", suggesting a more forceful or violent action.

an aggression toward the

Replaces "attack" with "aggression", highlighting the hostile and forceful nature.

an offensive against the

Uses "offensive" to emphasize the initiative and planned nature of the attack.

a strike against the

Uses "strike" to suggest a sudden and targeted action.

an encroachment upon the

Substitutes "attack" with "encroachment", implying a gradual intrusion or infringement.

a violation of the

Replaces "attack" with "violation", focusing on the transgression or breach of rules/boundaries.

a campaign against the

Emphasizes a sustained and organized effort instead of a single action.

a challenge to the

Suggests a confrontation or questioning of authority/status.

a criticism of the

Replaces physical attack with verbal or written disapproval.

an undermining of the

Focuses on weakening or destabilizing something rather than a direct assault.

FAQs

How can I use "an attack on the" in a sentence?

You can use "an attack on the" to describe actions or statements that directly challenge or undermine something. For example, "The new policy was seen as "an attack on the environment"" or "His speech was "an attack on the president"".

What are some alternatives to "an attack on the"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an assault upon the", "an offensive against the", or "a criticism of the". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an attack on" or "an attack against" more correct?

"An attack on" is generally preferred and more common. "An attack against" is also grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "an attack on the" and "a defense of the"?

"An attack on the" implies an action or statement that aims to harm or undermine something, while "a defense of the" implies an action or statement that aims to protect or support something.