countries at war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "countries at war" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to two or more countries which are actively engaged in an armed conflict with one another. For example, "During World War II, many countries around the world were at war with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He often did business with countries at war.

The New York Times

In countries at war, eg, during the war in Croatia, adults and children were almost equally exposed to these injuries.

American Journal of Otolaryngology

IN COUNTRIES at war, freedoms of the press and of speech are often restricted.

The Economist

There are countries at war that are more optimistic than we are".

The New York Times

Electricity and water shortages reach levels associated with countries at war.

The Guardian - Books

For arms salesmen, countries at war are the best markets in the world.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

François Hollande to declare that the country was "at war".

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are in a country at war".

The New York Times

He's in a country at war.

The New York Times

Being dramatic about a country at war is not accurate.

The Guardian

With the country at war their games were usually military.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "countries at war", ensure you provide context regarding the nature, duration, or impact of the conflict to enhance clarity and informativeness.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "countries at war" as a blanket term for all nations facing internal strife; reserve it for active, international armed conflicts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "countries at war" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies multiple nations engaged in active armed conflict. As Ludwig AI suggests, it accurately describes entities involved in warfare.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "countries at war" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe nations involved in armed conflicts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and formal settings. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure accuracy and provide adequate context regarding the conflict. While alternatives like "nations in conflict" or "warring nations" exist, "countries at war" remains a direct and widely understood descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nations in conflict

Focuses on the state of conflict rather than active warfare.

warring nations

Emphasizes the active role of nations engaging in war.

countries in armed conflict

More formal and specific, highlighting the presence of arms.

belligerent countries

Highlights the aggressive or hostile nature of the countries.

nations under attack

Focuses on the experience of being attacked, rather than initiating conflict.

countries experiencing warfare

Emphasizes the ongoing experience of war.

states in a state of war

More formal, referring to the legal or official status of war.

countries engaged in hostilities

A more diplomatic way of describing the situation.

nations facing armed aggression

Highlights the aspect of aggression and the use of arms.

countries embroiled in conflict

Emphasizes the complex and entangling nature of the conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "countries at war" in a sentence?

You can use "countries at war" to describe nations actively engaged in armed conflicts. For example, "The humanitarian crisis is most severe in "countries at war", where access to aid is limited".

What are some alternatives to "countries at war"?

Alternatives include "nations in conflict", "warring nations", or "countries in armed conflict", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "countries at war" when referring to civil wars?

While "countries at war" typically refers to international conflicts, it can be used for civil wars if the conflict involves distinct factions resembling separate entities, or when other "nations in conflict" get involved.

What implications does the term "countries at war" carry?

Using the term "countries at war" implies significant instability, humanitarian concerns, and potential violations of international law, thus, it should be used judiciously and with factual accuracy.