combat

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "combat" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when discussing physical confrontation or military struggle. For example: "The soldiers trained for months in order to prepare for combat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He never saw combat and spent most of his military service as a guard in prisoner-of-war camps.

The Guardian - Arts

Farc has been increasing its activities, including the killing of two unarmed members of the Nasa indigenous community and last week the capture of two soldiers after combat.

The Guardian

She explained that the sortie began with military precision around 9pm on Monday, that all of those who attacked their homes were wearing surgical gloves, masks and combat uniforms, that they arrived with wheelie bins stuffed with bricks, bottles and other missiles, and that the entire attack appeared to be well organised.

The Guardian

The clash between Brienne and Sandor was the best of the season, both a showcase for two very different fighting methods and an acknowledgement that the reality of combat is you have to fight dirty to win.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We are considering other measures that can be taken to combat this escalating terrorist threat.

The Guardian

"You cannot train the judiciary to combat this crime if there are no laws on the books.

The Guardian

But like the twin pictures of Malcolm X and Margaret Thatcher on Gove's office wall, combat can be relied on to hold attention.

The Guardian

Related: Pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk keep on the attack as war of words intensifies "Of course we need training to revitalise the army, to reform and teach so it will be ready for combat," said the commander of a frontline checkpoint near Mariupol who would give only his call sign Cobra.

The Guardian

4 Serve with some mango chutney or a cooling, sour cream dip to combat the heat of the jerk seasoning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Andriy Parubiy, head of Ukraine's national security and defence council, told the Guardian that these were all coordinated from a single anti-terrorism command centre, but numerous sources on the ground attest to the fact that coordination is poor, and there are major concerns over how ready the volunteer brigades are for combat.

The Guardian

It centres on a Home Guard unit of men too old or unsuited for combat duty in the second world war and was set in the fictional south-coast English town of Walmington-on-Sea Walmington-on-Sea Walmington-on-Sea

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "combat" to describe a conflict, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a specific instance or a broader state of conflict. For example, differentiate between "a combat zone" and "modern combat tactics".

Common error

Avoid using "combat" when you mean to describe a competition or rivalry that does not involve physical violence. Use "compete" or "contend" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "combat" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a physical fight or struggle, especially in war. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to actively fight against something, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "combat" is a frequently used term primarily functioning as a noun or verb, typically related to fighting or struggling against something. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "combat" often conveys a sense of urgency and intensity. To avoid common errors, it is useful to ensure "combat" is not confused with "compete" and to use it without redundant prepositions like "against". While variations such as "armed conflict" or "battle" can serve as alternatives, "combat" effectively describes both physical and figurative struggles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

armed conflict

Emphasizes the use of weapons and military forces.

armed struggle

Highlights the exertion of effort and force in a conflict.

military action

Focuses on the strategic and tactical aspects of warfare.

battle

Refers to a specific engagement or confrontation in a war.

skirmish

Suggests a brief, unplanned fight or encounter.

fight

A general term for physical or verbal conflict.

clash

Implies a sudden, forceful encounter between opposing sides.

warfare

Encompasses the broader methods and strategies of war.

engage in hostilities

Formal term describing involvement in acts of war.

take up arms

Describes the act of preparing for or entering into battle.

FAQs

How can I use "combat" in a sentence?

You can use "combat" to describe a physical fight, a struggle for victory, or the act of fighting. For instance, "The soldiers were trained for close-quarters combat" or "The government is working to combat climate change".

What is an alternative to using "combat"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "battle", "fighting", "warfare", or "counteract".

Is it correct to say "to combat against"?

While not grammatically incorrect, it is generally redundant. It's more concise and common to simply use "to combat" without the "against". For example, "to combat crime" is preferable to "to combat against crime".

What's the difference between "combat" and "conflict"?

"Combat" typically implies direct physical engagement or a struggle, while "conflict" is a broader term that can refer to disagreements, disputes, or any form of opposition. "Combat" is a form of "conflict", but not all conflicts involve combat.