begin an attack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin an attack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to military actions, competitive scenarios, or even in discussions about cybersecurity. Example: "The commander decided to begin an attack at dawn to catch the enemy off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Gingrich chose not to begin an attack, saying only, "I don't think that grandmothers and grandfathers will self-deport".

The New York Times

Military officials said the president had been told that they could begin an attack against Iraq within the next several days.

The New York Times

The men, realizing that they are trapped, begin an attack on the bathroom door (0 45), kicking a large hole in it and trying to squeeze through even as the door opens outward toward them.

The New York Times

American military commanders wanted to begin an attack from Turkey that would pin down Iraqi forces in the north and keep them away from the main American force driving from the south.

The New York Times

The United States will soon have enough heavy tanks, warships, aircraft, bombs and troops in the Persian Gulf region to enable it to begin an attack against Iraq sometime in January, senior military officials say.

The New York Times

Mr. Mueller said analysts who had studied past attacks believed that Al Qaeda would not begin an attack without meticulous planning and said its operatives appeared to be deterred by security that diminishes their chances for success.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When the attacker begins an attack via the command server, an excessive number of infected hosts make requests for web pages from the victim; as a result, the victim's resources are eventually exhausted.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But he soon began an attack on the current state of the country.

The New York Times

"Just two hours ago, allied air forces began an attack on military targets in Iraq and Kuwait".

The New Yorker

Grischuk's 16... Randand 17... Rh5 were interesting, as he began an attack against Gelfand's king.

The New York Times

"So, Cruz is a problem," Trump said, beginning an attack that lasted about seven minutes.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing conflicts or strategic actions, clearly define the context and objectives to ensure accurate understanding of why someone would "begin an attack".

Common error

Do not use "begin an attack" without specifying who is initiating the action and against whom. Providing these details avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin an attack" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the start of an aggressive action. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal military contexts and more figurative scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "begin an attack" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe the initiation of an offensive action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, predominantly in news, wiki and scientific sources. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent. When employing the phrase, it's beneficial to clearly specify the parties involved and the context of the attack to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "launch an offensive" or "initiate hostilities" may offer greater precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an offensive

Focuses on a large-scale, strategic military initiation.

initiate hostilities

Highlights the formal beginning of conflict or warfare.

commence an assault

Emphasizes a forceful and sudden start to an offensive action.

start an offensive

A more general term for beginning a planned military action.

mount an offensive

Suggests a carefully prepared and organized initiation of an attack.

kick off an offensive

An informal way to describe starting a military action.

trigger an invasion

Specifically implies initiating an invasion of territory.

open fire

Refers specifically to the beginning of shooting.

go on the offensive

Shifts the focus to adopting an attacking posture.

strike first

Highlights the preemptive nature of starting an attack.

FAQs

How to use "begin an attack" in a sentence?

You can use "begin an attack" to describe the start of a military operation, a competitive strategy, or even a figurative assault. For example, "The army decided to "begin an attack" at dawn".

What can I say instead of "begin an attack"?

Alternatives include "launch an offensive", "initiate hostilities", or "commence an assault" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "begin an attack"?

It's appropriate when you need to emphasize the initiation of an aggressive action, whether literal (as in warfare) or figurative (as in a debate or competition). It focuses on the starting moment of the offensive.

What's the difference between "begin an attack" and "launch an offensive"?

"Begin an attack" is a more general term indicating the start of any offensive action. "Launch an offensive" implies a larger, more organized, and strategic military action.