commit arson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'commit arson' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe the criminal act of deliberately setting a fire with the intent of causing damage or destruction. For example: The suspect is accused of committing arson when he set fire to a warehouse.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The man, Michael M. Everhart, had pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit arson.

The New York Times

Mr Callender, 47, was jailed for 10 years in March 1996 for conspiring to commit arson.

The Guardian

They each face two counts of felony murder, 45 counts of arson, and charges of conspiracy to commit arson.

The New York Times

Kyle Alden, 22, with first-degree arson, conspiracy to commit arson and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

The New York Times

The number of activists brazen enough to commit arson and serious vandalism is believed to be quite small.

The New York Times

In a deal with prosecutors, the man, Michael M. Everhart of Waldorf, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

He compared that to a filmmaker committing arson for a movie about firefighters.

The New York Times

Prosecutors accused the Hammonds of committing arson on federal land in 2001 and 2006.

The Washington Post

Both men were convicted of committing arson that caused death against Chinese-owned businesses.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the 1923 quake in Kanto, rumors swept Tokyo and Yokohama that Koreans were committing arson and poisoning wells.

The New Yorker

He later committed arson, Der Spiegel said, during a demonstration in Berlin at which he set fire to containers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commit arson" when you want to emphasize the intentional and criminal nature of setting a fire.

Common error

Ensure you use "commit arson" only when referring to the deliberate and unlawful act of setting a fire, not for accidental or unintentional fires.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit arson" functions as a verb phrase describing the performance of a criminal act. This construction is frequently used in legal contexts and news reports related to criminal activity, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit arson" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the intentional and illegal act of setting fire to property. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in legal and news contexts. Usage analysis reveals that "commit arson" appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic sources. While alternative phrases exist, such as "perpetrate arson" or "engage in arson", "commit arson" is a clear and direct way to describe this specific crime. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves intentional, unlawful actions to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrate arson

Focuses on the act of carrying out arson.

carry out arson

Emphasizes the execution of the act.

engage in arson

Highlights involvement in arson activity.

set fire deliberately

Replaces "arson" with a descriptive phrase.

start a fire intentionally

Similar to setting fire deliberately, but with a slightly different emphasis.

ignite a blaze

Uses more figurative language to describe the act.

torch a building

More colloquial and specific to setting buildings on fire.

burn down

Focuses on the result of the action.

deliberately cause a fire

A more descriptive and less direct way of saying "commit arson".

be responsible for arson

Shifts the focus to accountability for the act.

FAQs

How to use "commit arson" in a sentence?

You can use "commit arson" to describe a criminal act. For example, "The suspect was charged with conspiracy to "commit arson"."

What verbs can be used instead of "commit" with arson?

While "commit" is commonly used, alternatives include "perpetrate arson", "carry out arson", or "engage in arson".

Is it correct to say "do arson" instead of "commit arson"?

No, "do arson" is not standard English. The correct and more formal phrasing is to ""commit arson"".

What is the difference between arson and conspiracy to "commit arson"?

Arson is the act of intentionally setting a fire. Conspiracy to ""commit arson"" is planning with others to carry out the act, even if the fire is never actually set.