committed an assault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "committed an assault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions about violence, indicating that someone has carried out an act of physical aggression against another person. Example: "The defendant was found guilty of having committed an assault on the victim during the altercation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

An FBI background check found that one had committed an assault with a deadly weapon.

Los Angeles Times

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

The Guardian

"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

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

In such a strategy, the history of past abuse is explained to the jury in forensic detail to help prove the abused woman reasonably believed that she faced an imminent threat of death when she committed an assault or homicide.

The New York Times

Earlier that year, Tillman had coupled a statement opposing lynching with a declaration that he would "willingly lead a mob in lynching a Negro who had committed an assault upon a white woman".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

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

Independent

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

The Guardian

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

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

She fought off challenges from Pam Duncan and Monica Lennon to win the backing of local party members as the candidate to replace Eric Joyce, who was expelled from Labour after committing an assault in a House of Commons bar.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal matters, use "committed an assault" to clearly state the alleged or proven action. Ensure that the context provides necessary details such as the victim, location, and any aggravating factors.

Common error

Avoid using "committed an assault" metaphorically. The phrase has strong legal and criminal connotations; using it in casual conversation or non-violent contexts can be misleading and inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "committed an assault" functions as a verb phrase with an article and noun, denoting the action of perpetrating an act of violence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase accurately describes the act of carrying out an assault, often with legal implications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "committed an assault" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to describe the act of carrying out an assault. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and appropriateness, particularly in legal, news, and academic contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal in register, it carries strong legal connotations and should be used carefully to avoid misinterpretations in non-criminal contexts. Alternatives like "perpetrated an assault" or "engaged in an assault" may be suitable depending on the specific context. The phrase is frequently found in news reports, academic analyses, and legal documents, making it a key phrase for understanding discussions around violence and crime.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetrated an assault

Replaces "committed" with "perpetrated", emphasizing the execution of the assault.

carried out an assault

Replaces "committed" with "carried out", focusing on the act of performing the assault.

engaged in an assault

Emphasizes involvement in the assault, using "engaged in" instead of "committed".

launched an assault

Suggests a sudden or forceful beginning of the assault.

undertook an assault

Replaces "committed" with "undertook", implying a deliberate or planned action.

inflicted an assault

Focuses on the harm caused by the assault, using "inflicted" instead of "committed".

executed an assault

Emphasizes the planning and execution of the assault.

performed an assault

A more general term for doing the action of assault.

instigated an assault

Suggests initiating or causing the assault.

precipitated an assault

Indicates that the action directly caused the assault to happen.

FAQs

What's the difference between "committed an assault" and "carried out an assault"?

While both phrases imply performing an act of violence, "committed an assault" is more commonly used in legal or formal contexts, suggesting a violation of the law. "Carried out an assault" is a more general term that simply describes the act of performing the assault, regardless of legal implications.

What are some situations where I might use the phrase "committed an assault"?

This phrase is appropriate when discussing legal proceedings, reporting on crimes, or analyzing events where physical violence has occurred. Examples include news reports about arrests, legal documents detailing charges, or academic studies of crime statistics.

Is it correct to say someone "committed an assault" if they didn't physically harm anyone?

The term "assault" typically implies physical harm or the threat of immediate physical harm. If there was no physical contact or threat, it may be more accurate to describe the action as harassment, intimidation, or another type of offense that doesn't necessarily involve an assault.

What's the difference between assault and battery, and how does it relate to "committed an assault"?

In legal terms, assault is the threat of violence that causes fear in the victim, while battery is the actual physical contact. Therefore, someone who "committed an assault" may or may not have also committed battery, depending on whether physical contact occurred.