fighting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fighting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing physical confrontations, metaphorical struggles, or competitive situations. Example: "The two teams have been fighting for the championship title all season long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Further down the fight card, campaigns are fighting to remain alive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Motherwell showed character and resolve to fight back at Rugby Park and claim a win which should at least give them a fighting chance of beating the drop in the play-offs.

The Guardian - Sport

You know, "Haha - they have bazookas in their hands but they're actually fighting for peace".

The Guardian

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

The Guardian

And then there is Canada, where the Parti Québécois has a long and chequered history of fighting for independence for the francophone province.

The Guardian

The sister of Troy Davis, the man whose execution a year ago amid substantial evidence that he was innocent sparked protests across the US and the world, has vowed to keep on fighting until the death penalty is ended "one state at a time".

The Guardian

Piechowski and Bendera spent time in Ukraine before Piechowski returned to Poland, joining the partisan Polish Home Army and spending the rest of the war fighting the Nazis.

The Guardian

Yashin recently said that Nemtsov had hoped that "opening society's eyes to the crime" of Russian soldiers fighting on the side of separatists in eastern Ukraine would help stop the war.

The Guardian

It is not just the futility of eight years of fighting in Iraq, frustration in Afghanistan, the loss of thousands of soldiers' lives and the maiming of tens of thousands more that are causing so much doubt over a US attack on Syria now.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Aaron Swartz didn't live to see it, those who knew him, such as David Segal, the executive director of US organisation Demand Progress, say they have little doubt he would be "on the front lines fighting against a world in which governments observe, collect, and analyze our every digital action".

The Guardian - Tech

The throngs that had flocked to the river Lagan on Sunday were far greater than the numbers involved in real life street fighting at the edge of the Catholic enclave of Short Strand last Monday and Tuesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ongoing conflicts or disputes, use "fighting" to convey active engagement and resistance. This applies to both physical and metaphorical battles.

Common error

Avoid using "fighting" when a more specific verb would be more precise. For example, instead of "fighting against bureaucracy", consider "challenging bureaucracy" or "reforming bureaucracy".

Linguistic Context

Fighting functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often describing an ongoing action or state. Ludwig examples show it denoting both literal combat and metaphorical struggles, such as "fighting for peace" or "fighting rising house prices".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fighting" is a versatile verb form widely used to describe active conflict, competition, or struggle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that "fighting" is best used to convey active engagement in overcoming challenges or opposing forces. Consider using more specific alternatives like "battling" or "combating" for greater precision. Although generally neutral in tone, avoid overuse in passive contexts for more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battling

Focuses on an ongoing struggle or contest, often implying a sustained effort against opposition.

combating

Emphasizes active measures taken to reduce or eliminate something harmful or undesirable.

contending

Suggests a competitive effort to achieve a goal or overcome an obstacle.

struggling

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in overcoming adversity or resistance.

grappling

Implies a close and often physical engagement with a problem or opponent.

wrestling

Similar to grappling, but can also refer to internal conflicts or difficult decisions.

locked in conflict

Focuses on an intense and prolonged disagreement, often involving opposing sides.

locked in battle

Describes a direct physical or metaphorical clash between opposing forces.

at war

Indicates a state of open and sustained hostility, either literal or figurative.

clashing

Highlights a sudden and often violent encounter or disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "fighting" in a sentence?

You can use "fighting" to describe physical combat, such as "The soldiers were fighting on the front lines". It can also be used metaphorically, like "She is fighting for her rights".

What are some alternatives to the word "fighting"?

Some alternatives include "battling", "combating", or "struggling", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fighting for" something?

Yes, it is correct. "Fighting for" is a common and accepted usage, often indicating active support or advocacy, such as "fighting for equal rights".

What's the difference between "fighting" and "arguing"?

"Fighting" often implies a more intense or physical conflict, while "arguing" suggests a verbal disagreement or debate. However, "fighting" can also be used metaphorically for intense disagreements.