declaration of war

USAGE SUMMARY

"declaration of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a formal announcement by one nation of its intent to wage war against another. For example, "The president made a declaration of war against our neighbor in response to their attacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The presidential declaration of war followed immediately.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The third was a declaration of war".

The New Yorker

Take this as a declaration of war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It wasn't a declaration of war.

The New York Times - Magazine

Declaration Of War (12.35) is different.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a declaration of war.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a declaration of war".

The New York Times

A declaration of war is a distinct thing.

The New Yorker

"It is a declaration of war on my sport.

Independent

Both sides talk darkly of a "declaration of war".

The Economist

The text reads like a declaration of war.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declaration of war" when referring to the formal act by a nation or entity initiating warfare. Ensure that the context accurately reflects this official commencement.

Common error

Avoid using "declaration of war" to describe minor disputes or disagreements. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for actual acts initiating military conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declaration of war" functions as a noun phrase, specifically denoting a formal act of initiating armed conflict between nations or entities. Ludwig examples show its use in historical and contemporary contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declaration of war" is a noun phrase denoting a formal announcement by a nation or entity initiating armed conflict. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its purpose is to describe the official commencement of hostilities, and it typically appears in neutral registers across news media and encyclopedic contexts. Although a formal declaration is not always required, it remains a significant political and legal act. Related phrases include "act of war" and "commencement of hostilities". When writing, use the phrase to refer the formal acts initiating military conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act of war

Focuses on the action that initiates conflict rather than the formal announcement.

official declaration of conflict

Similar to "declaration of war", but uses 'conflict' as a more general term.

formal war proclamation

Highlights the official and ceremonial aspect of declaring war.

formal announcement of hostilities

Highlights the official announcement that precedes warfare.

commencement of hostilities

Emphasizes the start of fighting or military actions.

commencement of armed conflict

Specifically refers to the beginning of fighting using weapons.

initiation of conflict

Broader term that can refer to any type of conflict, not just war.

initiation of armed struggle

Emphasizes the struggle and use of arms in the conflict's beginning.

outbreak of war

Describes the sudden start of war, often unexpectedly.

state of war

Refers to the condition or status of being at war.

FAQs

What does a "declaration of war" entail?

A "declaration of war" is a formal announcement by a country that it is entering a state of war with another entity. It's a legal and political act with significant consequences.

Is a "declaration of war" necessary to start a war?

While historically common, a formal "declaration of war" is not always considered necessary in modern conflicts. Hostilities can begin without such a declaration.

What are some alternatives to "declaration of war"?

You can use alternatives like "act of war", "commencement of hostilities", or "initiation of conflict" depending on the specific context.

How is a "declaration of war" different from an authorization for the use of military force?

A "declaration of war" is a formal statement of war, while an authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) is a legal measure granting the executive branch the power to use military force without a formal declaration.