attacked each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attacked each other" 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 one another. Example: "During the debate, the candidates attacked each other with harsh criticisms and personal insults."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While Gingrich and Santorum sparingly attacked each other, they both ran ads against Romney.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They attacked each other without hesitation," one member of the counterprotest told the Los Angeles Times.

The New Yorker

Militias, often proxies of the old rump state or the new southern one, attacked each other.

The Economist

Police said rival groups of Pakistani and Albanian refugees attacked each other with clubs.

Independent

"Crowds from both sides attacked each other with homemade weapons," Mr. Zaw Win Myint said.

The New York Times

They attacked each other with clubs and threw things at each other," a police spokesman said.

Independent

They rolled up their placards, bearing slogans of homophobic hatred, and attacked each other with them good-naturedly.

The Guardian

Early on, even when they attacked each other, they seemed to do so halfheartedly almost out of routine.

The New York Times

Once, under the strain, a riot erupted twelve hundred feet underground, and workers attacked each other with picks and shovels.

The New Yorker

Fichte did not acknowledge this concept, however, and the two writers attacked each other most sharply in an intensive correspondence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When firecrackers weren't available, we attacked each other with pennies and marbles and clumps of Crisco, which made brilliant greasy asterisks when you missed and hit the wall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attacked each other", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the attack (physical, verbal, cyber, etc.) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "attacked each other" when the action was not mutual or reciprocal. If one party initiated the attack, and the other only defended themselves, use "attacked" followed by the target.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attacked each other" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reciprocal action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing its use in describing mutual aggression, conflict, or hostility. The phrase emphasizes the shared involvement in the aggressive act.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attacked each other" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe reciprocal aggression or conflict. Ludwig AI affirms its broad applicability, especially in news and media, though its usage extends to scientific and encyclopedic contexts as well. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the attack, and that the action described was indeed mutual. Consider alternatives like "fought each other" or "clashed with each other" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fought each other

A more general term for physical or verbal conflict.

traded blows

Specifically refers to physical fighting, exchanging punches or strikes.

assailed one another

More formal and implies a fierce or violent verbal or physical attack.

combated one another

Implies a more organized or strategic form of fighting.

clashed with each other

Suggests a conflict or disagreement, not necessarily physical.

engaged in hostilities

A formal way of describing acts of war or aggression.

confronted each other

Suggests a direct and often hostile meeting or challenge.

locked horns

An idiomatic expression for engaging in a fierce argument or dispute.

sparred with one another

Implies a less intense form of fighting, often verbal or playful.

were in conflict

A broad term indicating a state of disagreement or opposition.

FAQs

What does it mean when two groups "attacked each other"?

When two groups "attacked each other", it means they engaged in a mutual conflict or assault, where each group was both an aggressor and a target. This implies a reciprocal action of hostility.

What can I say instead of "attacked each other"?

You can use alternatives like "fought each other", "clashed with each other", or "engaged in hostilities" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "attacked to each other"?

No, "attacked to each other" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "attacked each other", where "each other" indicates a reciprocal action.

What's the difference between "attacked each other" and "attacked one another"?

"Attacked each other" and "attacked one another" are largely interchangeable. "Each other" is generally used when referring to two entities, while "one another" is used when referring to three or more, though this distinction is not strictly enforced.