at fighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at fighting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skill or ability in combat or competition. Example: "She is particularly skilled at fighting in martial arts tournaments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were good at fighting terror.

The New York Times

"Nature is really good at fighting back.

Independent

The world remains bad at fighting hunger.

The Economist

We work hard at fighting egos.

The New York Times

Americans, after all, have become good at fighting terrorists but not at fighting terrorism.

The New York Times

The savings could be directed at fighting genuine crimes.

The Economist

VIDEO: New $100 aimed at fighting back against counterfeiters.

The Washington Post

"I'm not very good at fighting Mika yet," she says.

The Guardian - Tech

You want to be good at football, good at fighting".

The Guardian

The WHO of old was supremely good at fighting infectious diseases.

The Economist

Over the past half century, governments became quite adept at fighting economic soft spots.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general ability, consider using "good at fighting" for a more common phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "at fighting" when referring to broader strategic or political conflicts; instead, opt for phrases like "combating" or "addressing" for better clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at fighting" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating the area of expertise or focus. According to Ludwig, it describes someone's skill or ability in combat or competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

30%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at fighting" is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts to denote skill, ability, or focus in combat or conflict. As Ludwig AI states, it is used to describe competence in battle or competition, although alternatives like "good at fighting" are often preferred for more common usage. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both professional and general communication. When using the phrase, it is crucial to consider the specific context to prevent misinterpretations of its intended scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in fighting

Uses a different preposition but maintains the core meaning of being involved in combat.

good at combat

Replaces "fighting" with "combat", focusing on the skill in battle.

skilled at battling

Synonymous replacement of "fighting" with "battling" and expressing skillful performance.

adept in conflict

Emphasizes skillfulness in conflict situations, changing from "fighting" to "conflict".

proficient in warfare

Focuses on competence in warfare, shifting from a general fight to a larger scale conflict.

experienced in combat

Highlights experience in combat situations, suggesting a learned ability.

effective in skirmishes

Specifies effectiveness in minor battles or skirmishes, narrowing the scope of "fighting".

capable of contending

Implies an ability to compete or contend effectively, broadening from physical fighting.

strong in confrontation

Highlights strength in confrontational situations, moving from action to a state of being.

resilient in struggle

Focuses on resilience during a struggle, changing the focus from active fighting to enduring hardship.

FAQs

How can I use "at fighting" in a sentence?

You can use "at fighting" to describe proficiency or focus in combat, such as, "The army is skilled at fighting in urban environments."

What are some alternatives to saying "at fighting"?

Consider using alternatives such as "good at combat", "skilled at battling", or "proficient in warfare" for variety.

Is there a difference between "good at fighting" and "at fighting"?

"Good at fighting" is a more common and generally preferred phrasing. "At fighting" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

When is it appropriate to use "at fighting" instead of "combating" or "addressing"?

Use "at fighting" when referring to specific skills or activities related to physical or direct conflict. Use "combating" or "addressing" for broader, more abstract conflicts like "combating climate change".