appearance of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appearance of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or context where there are signs or indications that war may occur, without it being an actual war yet. Example: "The rising tensions between the two countries have created an unsettling appearance of war in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Would Lord Timothy Bell have called for a "police investigation" of Tolstoy after the appearance of War and Peace, I wonder, as he did in the Sunday Times for the two-time Man Booker prizewinner Mantel?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sadly, it was not only me who took on the appearance of a war hero but poor old Somerville too.

Independent

— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) February 11 , 2014Rep. Steve Pearce: "there is the appearance of a war on the poor".

The Guardian - Business

Quincy took on the appearance of a war zone, with choppers ferrying troops from the airport to their barracks, in the high-school gym, and to the levees.

The New Yorker

Hundreds of officers are now amassed in Watertown, supported by bomb squad robotic equipment and armored vehicles, giving the quiet town the appearance of a war zone.

The Guardian

As with the advent of nuclear weapons, the appearance of revolutionary war did not displace old-style militaries countries, particularly the superpowers, still had vast arrays of tanks, submarines, jet fighters, and rocket launchers but it raised large questions about their relevance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PAGE A6 COURT APPEARANCE ON WAR CRIMES Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former vice president and still a senator in Congo, made his first appearance in court in The Hague, accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity while fighting in the Central African Republic.

The New York Times

All have produced epic visual cycles on the phenomenon, but their appearance together in the show "Disasters of War: Francisco de Goya, Henry Darger, Jake and Dinos Chapman" at P.S. 1 could be regarded as either a brilliant stretch or a curatorial overreach.

The New York Times - Arts

On its first appearance, The Absence of War was seen largely as a piece of intriguing journalism.

The Guardian

It is faint praise to note that Bale's appearance in Flowers of War is a good deal more credible than either of those Bollywood moments, but it is.

The Guardian - Film

The struggle, already the most violent of the Arab uprisings, has increasingly taken on the appearance of a civil war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "appearance of war" to describe situations where the conditions or atmosphere suggest an impending conflict, even if active fighting has not yet begun.

Common error

Avoid using "appearance of war" when describing situations involving active combat. This phrase is better suited for scenarios where there are signs or indications of potential conflict rather than an ongoing war.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appearance of war" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation or condition that resembles war without necessarily being an active conflict. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appearance of war" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe situations that suggest or imply impending conflict without actual warfare. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. The phrase serves to highlight signs of tension and potential conflict. When writing, be sure to use it to indicate this specific nuance, avoiding its use when describing active conflict. Alternatives include "threat of war" or "risk of conflict".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

threat of war

Focuses on the threatening aspect, implying a potential for war.

risk of conflict

Emphasizes the danger and probability of a conflict arising.

signs of impending war

Highlights the indicators suggesting that war is about to begin.

atmosphere of war

Describes the overall feeling and environment suggestive of war.

sense of looming conflict

Indicates a feeling that conflict is approaching and unavoidable.

prelude to war

Positions the situation as an introductory phase leading to war.

outbreak of hostilities

Focuses on the beginning of active conflict or warfare.

war clouds gathering

Uses a metaphor to describe the increasing likelihood of war.

imminent war

Highlights the nearness and inevitability of war.

state of near-war

Describes a condition where the situation is close to actual war.

FAQs

How can I use "appearance of war" in a sentence?

You can use "appearance of war" to describe a situation where conditions suggest an impending conflict but active fighting has not begun. For example: "The rising tensions created an unsettling "appearance of war" in the region."

What are some alternatives to "appearance of war"?

Alternatives include phrases like "threat of war", "risk of conflict", or "signs of impending war", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "appearance of war" to describe an ongoing conflict?

While not incorrect, "appearance of war" is more accurately used to describe the lead-up to a conflict. Once active fighting begins, terms like "state of war" or "ongoing conflict" become more appropriate.

What's the difference between "appearance of war" and "state of war"?

"Appearance of war" describes the conditions and atmosphere that suggest a potential conflict is brewing. "State of war", on the other hand, indicates that active hostilities and armed conflict are already taking place.