do some violence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do some violence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of causing harm or damage, often in a metaphorical sense, such as in literature or discussions about media. Example: "The film does some violence to the original story, altering key elements that fans cherished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He seems as if he could do some violence to Crawford.

The New Yorker

This rule may do some violence to accepted doctrines of contract law.

Harvard University

It was incumbent onto McSorley to do some violence to Brashear when he stepped on the ice for his last shift.

The New York Times - Sports

Lesser acknowledges the risk: "I realize that to talk about a 'tale' at all, in regard to these clearly plotless works, is to do some violence to Shostakovich's freedom as a composer".

The New York Times - Books

"Life is in fact a hierarchy of processes (e.g., metabolic, developmental, ecological, evolutionary) and...any abstraction of an ontology of fixed entities must do some violence to this dynamic reality" (p. 188f), which displays more the form of a net than single lineages within a 'tree of life.' 8.

SEP

I make my violence against myself worse than any violence against me, and maybe by doing so I do some violence to the world.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We had done violence to our brains and bodies getting here, and we had almost certainly done some violence to this mountain.

The New York Times - Sports

Ivan Hewett's Telegraph review is more generous, but he admitted that Mitchell had done "some violence" to Schubert's song cycle.

The Guardian

To provide some context: In a report released last month by four U.N. agencies, titled "Why do some men use violence against women and how can we prevent it?" 22.2 percent of 998 Chinese men reported that they had raped a woman, including a partner; 2.2 percent said they had taken part in a gang rape.

The New York Times

I was beginning to feel we were doing some strange violence to her, when she said, "That one," and pointed to a violet bike with flowers on it.   .

Vice

Q: Why do some communities opt into violence and some opt out?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do some violence" in creative writing, consider the impact and emotional weight of the phrase. It can be effective in conveying intensity or moral conflict, but ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your work.

Common error

Avoid using "do some violence" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "commit acts of violence" or "inflict harm" to maintain a serious and objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do some violence" functions primarily as a verb phrase. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the action of inflicting harm or damage, either physically or metaphorically. This action can be intentional or unintentional, and the phrase often carries a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do some violence" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of inflicting harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While considered Neutral in register, it appears most frequently in News & Media, with occasional use in academic and scientific contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "commit acts of violence" or "inflict harm" may be more appropriate. It's also important to be aware of the emotional weight of the phrase when using it in creative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit acts of violence

This alternative is a more formal and direct way of describing violent actions.

inflict some harm

This option uses a broader term, 'harm', which can encompass physical or emotional damage.

perpetrate violent acts

This phrase emphasizes the act of carrying out violence, often in a deliberate manner.

engage in violent behavior

This alternative focuses on the pattern of behavior rather than a single act.

resort to violence

This suggests that violence is a choice made after other options have been considered.

cause some injury

This option is more specific, focusing on physical harm or damage.

exercise physical aggression

This phrase is more clinical, describing violence as a form of aggression.

unleash some fury

This alternative uses a more metaphorical, emotive term to describe violent actions.

exact some retribution

This suggests that violence is being used as a form of revenge or payback.

wreak some havoc

This implies widespread destruction or chaos resulting from violent acts.

FAQs

What does "do some violence" mean?

The phrase "do some violence" generally means to commit an act or acts of violence, whether physical or metaphorical. It implies causing harm or damage.

What can I say instead of "do some violence"?

You can use alternatives like "commit acts of violence", "inflict some harm", or "engage in violent behavior" depending on the context.

Is "do some violence" too informal for academic writing?

Yes, "do some violence" is generally too informal for academic writing. More formal alternatives like "perpetrate violent acts" or "exercise physical aggression" would be more appropriate.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "do some violence"?

The phrase "do some violence" is most appropriate in creative writing, informal conversations, or when discussing the impact of media. It may also be suitable when discussing abstract concepts like "symbolic violence".