enemy firing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enemy firing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in military or conflict-related contexts to describe the act of an enemy shooting or launching attacks. Example: "The soldiers took cover as enemy firing erupted from the nearby hills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another 17 or 18 fighters were killed during what General Kimmitt said was "the enemy firing rocket-propelled grenades indiscriminately, using civilians as shields".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I started insulting allies, giving secrets to enemies, firing anyone who looked at me sideways..

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enemy firing", ensure the context clearly establishes who the "enemy" is to avoid ambiguity. This is particularly important in reports or narratives where multiple factions might be involved.

Common error

Avoid attributing fire to the "enemy" without verifying its origin. Inaccurate attribution can lead to misinformation and misinterpretation of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enemy firing" functions primarily as a noun phrase describing the action of an enemy force discharging weapons. Ludwig AI indicates it is usable in written English, typically appearing in conflict-related contexts to denote hostile attacks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enemy firing" is a grammatically sound phrase primarily used in news and media to describe hostile gunfire or attacks from an opposing force. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it is most commonly found in neutral contexts. While not frequently used, understanding its function and potential alternatives like "hostile gunfire" or "attacks from the enemy" can enhance clarity and precision in reporting and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enemy gunfire

A more direct alternative, combining "enemy" with the noun form of "fire".

hostile fire

A shorter and more concise version, using "hostile" as an adjective.

hostile gunfire

Replaces "enemy" with "hostile" and "firing" with "gunfire", maintaining the meaning but with slightly different word choices.

opposing forces shooting

Substitutes "enemy" with "opposing forces" and "firing" with "shooting", offering a more descriptive and less direct expression.

shots fired by the enemy

Emphasizes the action of firing and attributes it specifically to the enemy.

attacks from the enemy

Rephrases the concept to focus on attacks originating from the enemy, rather than the act of firing itself.

fire from enemy positions

Specifies the origin of the fire as enemy positions.

incoming fire

Focuses on the direction of the fire, implying it's coming from an enemy source.

enemy's barrage

Uses "barrage" to indicate a continuous and heavy firing from the enemy.

onslaught from enemy troops

Emphasizes the aggressive and forceful nature of the attack.

FAQs

How is "enemy firing" typically used in a sentence?

Generally, "enemy firing" is used to describe the act of an opposing force shooting or launching attacks. For example: "The troops took cover as "enemy firing" intensified near the border."

What are some alternative phrases for "enemy firing"?

Some alternatives include "hostile gunfire", "attacks from the enemy", or "incoming fire", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "enemy firing" a formal or informal term?

"Enemy firing" is a neutral term commonly used in news and military contexts. It is neither overly formal nor informal.

Can "enemy firing" be used in a non-military context?

While primarily used in military or conflict-related contexts, "enemy firing" could metaphorically describe any situation where there is an attack or opposition, though such usage is less common and requires careful consideration of the audience and tone.