commit an assault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commit an assault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions about criminal behavior to describe the act of physically attacking someone. Example: "The defendant was charged to commit an assault after the altercation outside the bar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The four pupils have been arrested for conspiracy to commit an assault with deadly weapons.

Independent

But some are cautioning against expanding the law to capture people who didn't actually commit an assault.

The Guardian

"19 out of 20 men will never commit an assault," he says.

Huffington Post

Defense attorneys had argued that Vandenburg was too intoxicated to commit an assault and should be acquitted.

Huffington Post

Congressman Edwin Y . Webbnoted, "That is one reason why we want this statute – in order to decrease the possibility of actual assault by punishing threats to commit an assault.

Wikipedia

I think they're doing it as a gantlet for students who might not consider themselves perpetrators but who might be perpetrators," explaining it can help teach students before they get in a position where they might commit an assault.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The vacancy emerged when Joyce was kicked out of the Labour party after committing an assault in a House of Commons bar.

The Guardian

In our world much more than in Kant's, one can take action against the sovereign without committing an assault on law itself.

The New York Times

"Do I want to see a movie from someone who has committed an assault against a woman and who I do not think recognises his guilt?

The Guardian - Film

Diallo's lawyers will have to prove merely that it was "more likely than not" that Strauss-Kahn committed an assault.

The Guardian

Ronnie Wood, below, the longtime guitarist for the Rolling Stones, was arrested in Britain on suspicion that he had committed an assault, BBC News reported.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or criminal matters, use the phrase "commit an assault" to clearly and directly state that someone has perpetrated a physical attack. This phrase is especially useful when describing charges, accusations, or legal proceedings.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions when you mean to emphasize the perpetrator of the assault. Instead of saying "An assault was committed," state directly "The individual committed an assault" to maintain clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit an assault" functions as a verb phrase where 'commit' acts as the main verb taking 'an assault' as its direct object. As Ludwig AI highlights, this construction is used to describe the action of perpetrating a physical attack on someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit an assault" is grammatically correct and primarily used in news, legal, and general informational contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to directly state that someone has perpetrated a physical attack. While not extremely common, its use is consistent across various reputable sources. Alternatives such as "carry out an assault" or "perpetrate an attack" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using the phrase, it is advisable to maintain active voice for clarity and accountability and be precise in legal settings. Overall, "commit an assault" is a straightforward and effective way to describe the act of physically attacking someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry out an assault

Replaces 'commit' with 'carry out', emphasizing the execution of the assault.

perpetrate an attack

Replaces 'commit' with 'perpetrate', suggesting a more calculated or deliberate act.

execute an assault

Substitutes 'commit' with 'execute', emphasizing the precise and efficient performance of the assault.

launch an assault

Uses 'launch' instead of 'commit', highlighting the initiation or commencement of the assault.

engage in an assault

Replaces 'commit' with 'engage in', focusing on the involvement or participation in the assault.

undertake an assault

Substitutes 'commit' with 'undertake', suggesting a more planned or intentional action.

instigate an assault

Replaces 'commit' with 'instigate', focusing on initiating or provoking the assault.

stage an assault

Uses 'stage' instead of 'commit', implying a more organized or theatrical assault.

be the aggressor

Shifts the focus from the act to the role of the person initiating the assault.

inflict an injury

Focuses on the result of the action, rather than the specific type of act.

FAQs

How can I use "commit an assault" in a sentence?

You can use "commit an assault" in a sentence to describe someone performing an act of violence, such as, "The suspect was arrested for allegedly committing an assault".

What are some alternatives to "commit an assault"?

Alternatives to "commit an assault" include "carry out an assault", "perpetrate an attack", or "launch an assault". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "make an assault" instead of "commit an assault"?

While "make an assault" might be understood, it's not standard English usage. "Commit an assault" is the more conventional and grammatically correct phrasing.

What is the difference between "commit an assault" and "be charged with assault"?

"Commit an assault" describes the act itself, while "be charged with assault" refers to the legal accusation. Someone can "commit an assault" without being charged, and someone can be charged without having actually committed the act.