enemy shelling

USAGE SUMMARY

"enemy shelling" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to the attack of a military target by an enemy during a war. For example: "The troops had to retreat due to the enemy shelling of their base."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The enemy shelling was said to have caused no casualties.

The New York Times

Blow-by-blow account of the enemy shelling of the post.

The New Yorker

The United States Command reported a drop in overnight enemy shelling, with 34 attacks in the 24‐hour period ending at 8 a.m. today.

The New York Times

When a tank destroyer commanded by Sergeant Choate was set on fire by enemy shelling, he ordered his men to abandon it, and they reached comparative safety.

The New York Times

SAIGON, South Vietnam, Monday, Oct. 4 — President Nguyen Van Thieu won a new four‐year term yesterday in a one‐candidate election marked by scattered protests, terrorism, intensified enemy shelling and the largest reported voter turnout in recent Vietnamese history.

The New York Times

"Westbrook recalls making sure that the troops throwing hand grenades were given relatively safe concussion grenades rather than the fragmentation type; indeed, in several of the outtakes we can see small explosive charges being tossed in front of troops to simulate enemy shelling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The deck thus overhung the lower vessel in such a manner as to virtually guarantee that no enemy shells could reach the hull.

The New York Times

"For heavens sake," one of the forensic experts cited by Fink said, "Memorial wasn't on a goddamn battlefield with enemy shells coming in.

The New Yorker

At other times, remaining calm and stoical in the face of enemy shells is part of a game in which its "adversaries" collude.

The Economist

The enemy shelled positions of the 'anti-terrorist operation' forces with the same intensity as before," a statement by the Ukrainian military said.

The Guardian

Sergeant Rhodes was then hit by enemy shell fragments, but in spite of his wounds he exhausted his own supply of ammunition then, obtaining an enemy automatic weapon, exhausted its supply inflicting three certain casualties on the enemy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military history or current events, use the phrase "enemy shelling" to clearly and concisely describe instances where an opposing force uses artillery to attack a position or area. This term is especially effective when detailing the immediate impact or consequences of such attacks.

Common error

While "shelling" can metaphorically refer to intense criticism or questioning, using "enemy shelling" in non-military contexts may sound overly dramatic or inappropriate. Opt for more fitting terms like "intense criticism" or "barrage of questions" to maintain clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enemy shelling" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a military action, as shown in Ludwig's examples of bases being hit by "enemy shelling".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enemy shelling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes the act of an opposing force using artillery to attack. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, primarily in news and historical contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for scenarios directly related to military actions to avoid sounding overly dramatic in other situations. Consider alternatives like "hostile bombardment" or "opponent's artillery fire" for nuanced descriptions. As always, context is key when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostile bombardment

Emphasizes the act of bombing from an opposing force, focusing on the aggressor's action.

opponent's artillery fire

Specifies the type of weaponry used by the enemy, highlighting the technical aspect of the attack.

foe's mortar attack

Refers to a specific kind of enemy assault, centered on the use of mortar weapons.

belligerent's barrage

Highlights the intensity and continuous nature of the enemy's attack.

aggressor's shelling

Focuses on the attacking party.

assailant's artillery assault

More intense language to focus on the attack from assailant

invader's bombardment

Highlights the act of bombing from a military force.

combatant's shellfire

More technical way to refer to the shelling.

attacker's cannonade

References a continuous artillery bombardment by the attacker.

adversary's shelling

More formal way to refer to the adversary's shelling.

FAQs

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

The phrase "enemy shelling" is used to describe the act of an enemy using artillery to bombard a location. For example, "The city was under intense "enemy shelling" for several days."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "enemy shelling"?

Alternatives include "hostile bombardment", "opponent's artillery fire", or "foe's mortar attack", depending on the specific context and weaponry involved.

Is "enemy shelling" formal or informal language?

"Enemy shelling" is considered neutral language, suitable for news reports, historical accounts, and military analyses. More formal or informal alternatives might exist, but this phrase is widely accepted in various registers.

What is the difference between "shelling" and "enemy shelling"?

"Shelling" refers to the act of firing shells from artillery, while "enemy shelling" specifies that the shelling is being conducted by an opposing force. The addition of "enemy" clarifies the source of the attack.