command wire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "command wire" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to military or technical fields, referring to a wire used to transmit commands or signals. Example: "The drone was equipped with a command wire to ensure secure communication with the control unit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The filament was not a trip wire, but a command wire, the sort used to set off an explosive with an electrical current.

The New York Times

The copper roll, what soldiers call "command wire," is commonly used by insurgents to make or detonate roadside bombs, the leading killer of American forces in Iraq.

The New York Times

In another recent attack, the Taliban dug a tunnel under a police post in Nawzad district, filled it with explosives and triggered the blast by using a command wire.

Independent

The cache discovered in a forest park near Larne in County Antrim includes two Claymore anti-personnel mines, pipe bombs, explosives, ammunition, command wire to trigger explosives, components for bombs and magazines and ammunition for explosives.

The Guardian

The device was detonated by a command wire as the police patrol passed the City Cemetery on the Falls Road.

BBC

A device that hit a police vehicle in Londonderry on 2 November is understood to have been a mortar, fired by command wire.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

There were several command wires leading out to bombs hidden in the cemetery, ready to ambush American forces when they advanced.

The Guardian

Deep in Sadr City, a few minutes' drive past the final government checkpoints, Mahdi fighters in recent days had been openly laying electrical command wires across streets and sitting guard on street corners beside caches of assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

The New York Times

Two BlacommandTits of Afghanistan.

Vice

The devices can be anything from a firework with nails created by teens intent on blowing up a phone box, to the command-wire bomb found in Northern Ireland a couple of years ago that contained three chemical barrels with 250kg of explosives – enough to obliterate anything within a 30 metre radius.

Independent

By using supertypes in the wiring commands, instead of separate subtypes, this reconfiguration can be enacted using far less wiring commands and therefore wire events.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), use "command wire" to specifically indicate the wire used by an operator to remotely detonate the device.

Common error

Avoid using "command wire" interchangeably with general electrical wiring. "Command wire" specifically refers to a wire used to remotely trigger a device, typically an explosive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "command wire" primarily functions as a noun, often used in conjunction with verbs like "detonate", "trigger", or "find". It denotes a specific type of wire used for remote activation or control, particularly in dangerous or explosive contexts. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "command wire" is a noun phrase referring to a wire used for remote control or detonation, most commonly in the context of explosives or military operations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources and carries a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, it's important to distinguish it from generic electrical wires and to be aware of its potentially sensitive connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control cable

Replaces "wire" with "cable", implying a more robust or shielded connection.

firing wire

Emphasizes the action of firing or detonating an explosive device.

detonation cord

Focuses on the explosive aspect, specifically the cord used for detonation.

remote activation line

Highlights the remote aspect of activating a device.

control circuit

Specifies the electrical circuit used for control purposes.

triggering mechanism

Shifts from the physical wire to the overall mechanism that initiates an action.

signal transmission line

Highlights the transmission of a signal rather than a direct command.

initiation system

Focuses on the entire system responsible for starting a process, not just the wire.

communication link

Emphasizes the communicative aspect of the wire's function.

electrical conduit

Broadens the scope to any protected pathway for electrical wiring.

FAQs

What is a "command wire" used for?

A "command wire" is typically used to remotely trigger or detonate an explosive device. It allows an operator to control the device from a distance.

What's the difference between a "command wire" and a regular electrical wire?

A "command wire" is specifically used for remote activation, often of explosives. A regular electrical wire is used for general power or signal transmission and doesn't imply remote control of a dangerous device.

What can I say instead of "command wire"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "control cable", "detonation cord", or "firing wire". These alternatives highlight different aspects of the wire's function.

Is it appropriate to use the term "command wire" in non-military contexts?

While the term is strongly associated with military and explosive-related contexts, it could be used in other technical fields to describe a wire used for remote control or activation, but clarity is key to avoid confusion.