dawn of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dawn of war" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as a metaphor to describe the beginning or onset of a conflict or battle. Example: "As the sun rose over the horizon, the soldiers prepared for the dawn of war, their hearts heavy with anticipation and fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In the dawn of war, this boy with small hands and straight hair took on the palest, most profound orphanhood.

The Guardian - Books

By Matt Gallagher The muscular pause before the dawn of war found me wandering a swamp alone, looking for a small red light.

The New York Times

The killing dealt a brutal blow to pirate radio's outlaw glamour - Simon Dee called it "the dawn of war" - and speeded the need for government action.

The Guardian - Film

Though there have been private militaries since the dawn of war, the modern corporate version got its start in the 1990's after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The New York Times

AT E3, however, Relic/THQ opened up my eyes to something new and exciting, Dawn of War II.

TechCrunch

Matt is more than likely playing Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II since he just got a new PC laptop to test out and Nicholas and John are in Austin for SXSW, which means they're playing Rock Band.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Her Much Ado is set at twilight, not for the sake of romance but rather for the gloomier prospect of the end of the day (and perhaps the dawning of war).

Huffington Post

And in Alan Furst's new novel, "Mission to Paris," an actor stars in a movie about World War I called "Après la Guerre," or "After the War," which begins filming at the dawn of World War II.

The New York Times

By 1939, Toscanini was essentially in exile in New York at the dawn of World War II.

The New York Times

Whose eyes were being seduced to drink the message of adjacent advertisers at the dawn of World War II as the men marched off to fight?

The New York Times

After the 9/11 attacks, Samuels began to search in vain for honest men in public office, first at the bombed-out Pentagon, where he found reporters demurring to a smug Donald Rumsfeld at the dawn of the "war on terror," then at a mercenary fund-raising banquet on the 2004 Bush campaign trail in Texas.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dawn of war" to create a dramatic and impactful tone when discussing the commencement of conflicts, emphasizing the beginning of a new, often destructive, era. Consider this term to set a dramatic tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dawn of war" in contexts that do not involve significant conflict or the start of a new, challenging period. Ensure the situation warrants the weight and gravity the phrase implies. "Dawn of war" is a beginning, not a background condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dawn of war" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It often acts as a subject complement or an appositive, describing the commencement of a conflict. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used as a metaphor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dawn of war" is a grammatically correct and evocative expression used to describe the beginning of a conflict. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it functions as a noun phrase, conveying a sense of dramatic significance. While its usage is not exceedingly frequent, it appears commonly in news and media, as well as in wiki contexts. Related phrases include "outset of war" and "beginning of conflict", although "dawn of war" carries a particularly dramatic connotation. When writing, use "dawn of war" to add gravitas to the discussion of conflicts, but avoid misapplying it to situations lacking the appropriate level of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outset of war

Focuses on the very beginning or start of the war.

commencement of war

Emphasizes a formal or official start to hostilities.

beginning of conflict

A more general term referring to any kind of conflict, not necessarily war.

start of hostilities

Highlights the initiation of aggressive actions.

eve of war

Refers to the period immediately preceding the war.

morning of war

Similar to "dawn of war" but uses 'morning' instead of 'dawn'.

cusp of war

Implies being on the edge or brink of war.

threshold of war

Suggests crossing a boundary into a state of war.

verge of war

Similar to 'cusp' and 'threshold', implying imminent war.

birth of war

A more poetic alternative, likening war to something being born or created.

FAQs

How can I use "dawn of war" in a sentence?

You can use "dawn of war" to describe the start of a conflict, such as, "The speech marked the "dawn of war" between the two nations."

What phrases are similar to "dawn of war"?

Similar phrases include "outset of war", "beginning of conflict", or "eve of war", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "dawn of war" a literal or figurative expression?

"Dawn of war" is primarily a figurative expression, used to describe the beginning of a conflict in a dramatic or metaphorical sense. It is not typically used to refer to a literal time of day.

What's the difference between "dawn of war" and "start of war"?

While both refer to the beginning of a war, "dawn of war" evokes a more dramatic and evocative image, suggesting the beginning of a new and often ominous era, whereas "start of war" is more neutral.