enemy fires

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enemy fires" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in military or conflict-related contexts to refer to gunfire or artillery coming from an opposing force. Example: "The troops took cover as enemy fires rained down on their position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Leaving at about midnight on 22 December, the Anzac Mounted Division was in a position by 0350 on 23 December, to see enemy fires still some miles away at Magdhaba.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Enemy fire.

The New York Times

Enemy fire forced him to retreat.

The New York Times

Only two helicopters made it through enemy fire.

The New Yorker

The paddle wheels were particularly vulnerable to enemy fire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He added, "We had no one wounded by enemy fire".

The New York Times

Was Sandra's death under enemy fire a coincidence?

The Guardian

The other claimed he was struck down by enemy fire.

The New York Times

Army manuals and drill sergeants speak of "suppressing enemy fire," "engaging targets," and "attritting" the enemy.

The New Yorker

Two of his friends had been killed by enemy fire during a six-day mission.

The New Yorker

"Flying low, we approached from the west, and initially met enemy fire from the compound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enemy fires" to specifically denote gunfire or artillery attacks originating from an opposing military force. This phrase is particularly effective in military reports, historical accounts, and news coverage of conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "enemy fires" when the source of the fire is uncertain or potentially from friendly forces. In such cases, use more neutral terms like "incoming fire" or "gunfire" until the source is confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enemy fires" is as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It specifically refers to gunfire originating from an opposing military force. As Ludwig AI tells us, it is usable in military or conflict-related contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

2%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enemy fires" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe gunfire or artillery attacks originating from an opposing military force. According to Ludwig AI, it's most appropriate in military and conflict-related contexts. Its frequency is rare, with the majority of examples found in News & Media. When the source of the fire is uncertain, it's better to use alternatives such as "incoming fire" to prevent misidentification. Related phrases include "hostile gunfire" and "opposing forces' gunfire".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostile gunfire

Replaces "fires" with "gunfire" emphasizing the act of shooting.

opposing forces' gunfire

Specifies that the gunfire is coming from opposing forces.

incoming fire

Focuses on the direction of the fire, emphasizing that it's approaching.

attack from the enemy

Shifts from describing the fire itself to describing the action of attacking.

enemy assault

Replaces "fires" with the more general term "assault", indicating a broader attack.

fire from enemy combatants

More formally specifies that the fire is from enemy combatants.

onslaught of enemy fire

Emphasizes the intensity and overwhelming nature of the fire.

barrage of enemy fire

Highlights the continuous and heavy nature of the fire.

belligerent fire

Describes the fire using a more generic adjective, indicating an aggressive origin.

ordnance from the enemy

Replaces "fire" with a more technical term, "ordnance", referring to military weaponry.

FAQs

How is "enemy fires" used in military contexts?

In military contexts, "enemy fires" refers to gunfire or artillery shelling originating from opposing forces. It's used to describe attacks, assess threats, and report on battlefield activities.

What's a good alternative to "enemy fires" in a formal report?

In a formal report, consider using phrases like "hostile gunfire" or "opposing forces' gunfire" to maintain a professional tone.

When should I avoid using the term "enemy fires"?

Avoid using "enemy fires" if the source of the fire is unconfirmed or if there's a possibility of friendly fire. Use more general terms such as "incoming fire" until the source is verified.

What is the difference between "enemy fires" and "friendly fire"?

"Enemy fires" refers to gunfire or attacks from opposing forces, while "friendly fire" indicates accidental attacks by one's own forces on allies. They are opposite in origin and implication.