combat with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "combat with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of somebody actively engaging in a fight or competitive activity. For example, "The two teams were in close combat with each other for the entire match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Daily hand-to-hand combat with a bunch of robots?

The New York Times

Nine days' combat with marines; much in the Waugh tradition.

The New York Times

"It was hand-to-hand combat with bayonets".

The New York Times

It evokes the image of medieval combat with swords.

The New York Times - Magazine

Newspapers enter this combat with some natural advantages.

The Guardian - Tech

They could describe combat with the immediacy of Ernie Pyle, without the filter of actual editors.

The New York Times

None of the movie's fights show a man in sole combat with a man.

The New Yorker

The Weed Warriors, however, engage in regular combat with some 100 nonnative plant species.

The New York Times

Thor, son of Odin, fights in combat with the serpent Jörmungandr.

The New York Times

His criticism places him in frequent combat with China's armies of online nationalists.

The New Yorker

He also said he was open to women serving in combat, with reservations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "combat with" to vividly describe situations involving direct opposition, whether physical or metaphorical. For instance, describe a company in "combat with" its competitors or a person in "combat with" their inner demons.

Common error

Avoid using "combat with" in contexts where the interaction isn't genuinely confrontational. Opt for words like "cooperate", "collaborate", or "interact" if the scenario lacks significant opposition. Saying you "combat with" your team on a project might suggest unnecessary antagonism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "combat with" functions as a verb phrase indicating active engagement in a conflict or struggle. It connects a subject with the entity they are fighting or opposing. As seen in Ludwig, this can range from literal physical confrontations to metaphorical battles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "combat with" is a versatile expression used to depict active engagement in a struggle or conflict. Grammatically sound and widely employed, as affirmed by Ludwig, it fits seamlessly into diverse scenarios, from military clashes to metaphorical battles. While "combat with" is frequent in news, science, and wiki contexts, careful consideration should be given to avoid overuse in non-confrontational scenarios. Alternatives like "fight against" or "compete with" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fight against

Emphasizes direct opposition or struggle against something.

battle with

Highlights a more prolonged or significant conflict.

struggle against

Focuses on the effort and difficulty in opposing something.

contend with

Implies dealing with difficulties or challenges posed by something.

grapple with

Suggests a close and intense struggle or confrontation.

engage in conflict with

Formally describes entering into a state of disagreement or hostility.

clash with

Indicates a direct and often sudden confrontation.

oppose with

Highlights the act of actively being against something.

compete against

Focuses on rivalry and striving for superiority over another.

vie with

Suggests a competitive effort to achieve something, often against others.

FAQs

How is "combat with" used in a sentence?

The phrase "combat with" typically describes engaging in a fight or struggle against someone or something. For instance, "The soldiers were in close combat with the enemy" or "The government is in constant combat with poverty".

What are some alternatives to "combat with"?

You can use alternatives such as "fight against", "battle with", or "struggle against" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in combat with" or "into combat with"?

The correct phrase is "in combat with". The preposition "in" accurately describes the state of being engaged in a fight or struggle. Using "into" would not be grammatically appropriate.

What's the difference between "combat with" and "compete with"?

"Combat with" suggests a more intense and often physical or aggressive confrontation, whereas "compete with" implies a rivalry where the goal is to outperform, not necessarily harm, the other party.