barrage of attack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barrage of attack" is not correct in standard English; it should be "barrage of attacks." You can use it when describing a heavy or overwhelming series of assaults or criticisms, often in a military or metaphorical context.
Example: "The team faced a barrage of attacks from their opponents, making it difficult to maintain their strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who emerged as the front-runner a month ago but was badly damaged by a barrage of attack ads from allies of Mr. Romney, fell behind the top tier, along with Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.

The New York Times

The barrage of attack ads are hard to push back against.

The New York Times

And a barrage of attack ads from the Romney campaign effectively portrayed his career after Congress as influence-peddling.

The New York Times

The financing comes at a crucial time for President Obama, as conservative groups prepare a barrage of attack ads.

The New York Times

SCORECARD -- The commercial is the fifth in a barrage of attack ads released by Mrs. Clinton's campaign in recent days.

The New York Times

Newt Gingrich saw his campaign fizzle in Iowa, after a barrage of attack advertisements, many financed by a "super PAC" supporting Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Who overcame this barrage of attacks to win the election?

The New York Times

It has kept up its barrage of attacks on Kabul and its global fund-raising campaign.

The New York Times

Then came a recent barrage of attacks that clawed apart scenes of Iraq's reawakened nightlife.

The New York Times

"I won my district after a huge barrage of attacks and allegations," he said.

The New York Times

"I won my district after a huge barrage of attacks and allegations," the assemblyman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple instances of aggression or criticism, use the grammatically correct phrase "barrage of attacks" rather than "barrage of attack".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "attack" after "barrage of". The word "barrage" implies a multitude, so ensure it's followed by the plural noun "attacks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrage of attack" (though grammatically incorrect, according to Ludwig AI) functions as a noun phrase. It aims to describe a series of aggressive actions, often in a figurative or metaphorical sense, emphasizing the intensity and volume of the aggression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barrage of attack" appears frequently, especially in news and media, however it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "barrage of attacks". While widely used, the singular form is considered non-standard, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase aims to highlight the intensity and volume of assaults, whether physical or verbal. Alternatives such as "onslaught of attacks" or "torrent of attacks" can offer similar meanings. When writing, always ensure to use the plural form "attacks" to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onslaught of attacks

Replaces "barrage" with "onslaught", suggesting a more aggressive and intense assault.

torrent of attacks

Substitutes "barrage" with "torrent", implying a continuous and overwhelming flow of attacks.

deluge of attacks

Replaces "barrage" with "deluge", emphasizing the sheer volume and overwhelming nature of the attacks.

hail of attacks

Uses "hail" instead of "barrage", suggesting a rapid and intense series of attacks, similar to a hailstorm.

wave of attacks

Replaces "barrage" with "wave", conveying a sequential and overwhelming series of attacks.

flurry of attacks

Substitutes "barrage" with "flurry", implying a rapid and concentrated series of attacks.

storm of attacks

Replaces "barrage" with "storm", which suggests a turbulent and intense period of attacks.

assault of attacks

Uses "assault" instead of "barrage", describing a direct and forceful attack.

campaign of attacks

Replaces "barrage" with "campaign", indicating a planned and coordinated series of attacks.

succession of attacks

Substitutes "barrage" with "succession", emphasizing the sequential nature of the attacks.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "barrage of attack"?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "barrage of attacks". The word "barrage" suggests a large number of things, requiring a plural noun.

What does "barrage of attacks" mean?

A "barrage of attacks" refers to a rapid, continuous outpouring or heavy delivery of attacks, whether physical or verbal.

What are some alternatives to "barrage of attacks"?

You can use alternatives such as "onslaught of attacks", "torrent of attacks", or "deluge of attacks" depending on the context.

How do I use "barrage of attacks" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is facing numerous assaults or criticisms, for example: "The company faced a barrage of attacks after the product recall."