attack one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attack one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties are engaging in aggressive or hostile actions towards each other. Example: "During the debate, the candidates began to attack one another, making it difficult to focus on the issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here'Since.

Huffington Post

"Since when do Democrats attack one another on universal health care?" Clinton has long been skeptical of a single-payer plan, even though it's beloved by much of the progressive base. .

Huffington Post

As the weekend lurches on, the friends also attack one another woundingly, and, late in the book, literally.

The Guardian - Books

The rules are simple -- players start with 8,000 "life points" and attack one another using the powers on the cards until their points run out.

The New York Times

"When they attack one another, it's not just an attack on the other candidate, it is taken I think by women and by African Americans in a more personal sense," said Hoyer.

The New York Times

Like February's UFC 143 headliner, this one rests on the notion that both men will attack one another like wildebeests for twenty-five minutes.

Huffington Post

At first, I found the fact that Apple would sign off on Verizon and AT&T using the iPhone to attack one another a bit odd.

TechCrunch

In 1801, Jefferson, recognizing the dangers of this sort of behavior, wrote some rules on civility, according to which senators were not to attack one another by name, impugn one another's motives or disparage one another's states.

The New York Times

Yes, they constantly attack one another, both physically and verbally.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dave Weintraub, 28, an educator, asked audience members to listen and not attack one another.

The New York Times

Yet, in this violent world, many countries have the means to attack one another.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attack one another" to clearly convey direct conflict or aggression between multiple parties, whether physical, verbal, or political. Be mindful of the context and ensure the tone matches the situation.

Common error

While "attack one another" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or professional writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "disagree vehemently" or "compete aggressively" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attack one another" functions as a reciprocal action phrase, indicating that two or more parties are performing an aggressive action towards each other. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attack one another" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe instances of conflict or aggression between two or more parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, although careful consideration should be given to the tone and formality required by the specific situation. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it conveys a direct sense of hostile action. Related phrases, like "assault each other" or "clash with each other", can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assault each other

Implies a physical or verbal aggressive action against one another. This phrase carries a slightly stronger connotation of physical violence than the original.

clash with each other

Describes conflict or disagreement, not necessarily involving physical aggression; focuses more on opposing viewpoints or interests.

fight among themselves

Focuses on internal conflict within a group, implying a disorganized or chaotic struggle.

engage in hostilities

A more formal and neutral way of describing conflict, often used in political or military contexts.

turn on each other

Suggests a sudden shift from alliance or cooperation to antagonism.

wage war against each other

Implies sustained and organized conflict, often with significant resources or consequences.

be in conflict

States the presence of disagreement or opposition between parties. Lacks the sense of active aggression present in the original.

oppose one another

Highlights disagreement and resistance, but not necessarily active aggression.

compete against each other

Describes rivalry or struggle for limited resources or goals.

criticize one another

Refers to expressing disapproval of each other's actions and behaviors.

FAQs

How can I use "attack one another" in a sentence?

You can use "attack one another" to describe situations where two or more parties engage in aggressive or hostile actions. For example, "During the debate, the candidates began to "attack one another", making it difficult to focus on the issues."

What are some alternatives to "attack one another"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "assault each other", "clash with each other", or "fight among themselves".

Is it always appropriate to use "attack one another" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "attack one another" may be too direct for some formal contexts. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "engage in hostilities" or "oppose one another" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "attack one another" and "compete against each other"?

"Attack one another" implies direct aggression or hostility, while "compete against each other" suggests rivalry or struggle for limited resources or goals, without necessarily involving hostile actions.