commit violence

USAGE SUMMARY

'commit violence' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe the use of physical force against someone or something. For example: "The protesters grew angry and began to commit violence against the police officers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disempowerment in the household may lead men to commit violence.

The Guardian

When does racism drive people to commit violence?

The Washington Post

"I've never seen them commit violence against anyone, and I've never seen any drug dealing.

The New York Times

"They were conspiring to commit violence for the sake of violence".

The New York Times

Without the F.B.I., would the culprits commit violence on their own?

The New York Times

The records show little evidence that the members of the movement planned to commit violence.

The New York Times

"People are pushed over the edge to commit violence," Mr. Jia said.

The New York Times - Arts

What motivates those who commit violence in the name of political beliefs?

University of Pennsylvania

Does Islam actually teaches Muslims to hate and commit violence against non-Muslims?

University of California, Berkeley

Now it is refining its approach to discover students who have the potential to commit violence.

The New York Times

He did not believe his audience would be incited to commit violence based on such preaching.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commit violence", consider the specific type of violence being described. Adding context (e.g., "commit domestic violence", "commit political violence") can make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "commit violence" as a blanket term for all harmful actions. Be specific about the type of harm being inflicted to provide clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commit violence" functions as a verb phrase, where "commit" is the main verb indicating the performance of an action, and "violence" is the direct object, specifying what is being performed. Ludwig shows examples from various sources confirming its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commit violence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the act of engaging in physical harm or aggression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely found in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for reporting and discussing serious topics without injecting undue emotion. While alternatives like "perpetrate violence" or "engage in violence" exist, "commit violence" remains a straightforward and commonly understood way to describe violent actions. When using the phrase, precision is key; specifying the type of violence can enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrate violence

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the execution or carrying out of violent acts.

commit assault

Focuses on the act of physically attacking someone.

commit aggression

Emphasizes hostile or forceful behavior, which may or may not be physical.

engage in violence

Highlights the involvement or participation in violent activities.

resort to violence

Suggests violence as a last option or a chosen method in a conflict.

unleash violence

Implies a sudden and forceful release of violent actions.

carry out violence

Highlights the execution or implementation of violent acts.

instigate violence

Focuses on initiating or provoking violence in others.

perpetrate brutality

Similar to "perpetrate violence" but refers specifically to violent or cruel acts.

inflict harm

A broader term that includes both physical and emotional damage, where violent acts are a subset.

FAQs

How can I use "commit violence" in a sentence?

You can use "commit violence" to describe an act of physical force intended to cause harm. For example, "The rioters began to commit violence against the police" or "He was arrested for threatening to commit violence".

What are some alternatives to "commit violence"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "perpetrate violence", "commit assault", or "engage in violence".

Is it correct to say "committed violence" instead of "commit violence"?

Yes, "committed violence" is the past tense form of the phrase. "Commit violence" is typically used in the present or future tense, while "committed violence" describes an action that has already occurred.

What's the difference between "commit violence" and "incite violence"?

"Commit violence" refers to the act of physically carrying out a violent action, while "incite violence" means to encourage or provoke others to "commit violence". One involves direct action, the other involves instigation.