fighting began

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fighting began" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the start of a conflict or battle in various contexts, such as historical accounts, storytelling, or news reports. Example: "As tensions escalated, fighting began in the streets, leading to chaos and unrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then the fighting began.

The Economist

In 1973 guerrilla fighting began.

The New Yorker

But soon, the fighting began.

The New York Times

Even when fighting began the Americans shilly-shallied.

The New York Times - Books

The latest fighting began with a search for wanted men.

The New York Times

When these two skirmishes finished, fighting began again in Fallujah.

The Economist

The fighting began in earnest early the next morning.

The New York Times

But then the [government] army came and the fighting began".

Independent

It had halted the patrols after the fighting began.

The New York Times

The most recent bout of fighting began early Sunday.

The New York Times

The latest round of fighting began four days ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fighting began", provide context about the underlying causes or immediate triggers that led to the outbreak of conflict. This enhances clarity and provides a more complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses when describing when the fighting started. Ensure the verb tense aligns with the timeline of events. For example, don't say "fighting has began" when "fighting began" is correct for past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fighting began" functions as a clause element indicating the commencement of hostilities. It typically serves as the main verb phrase within a sentence, signaling the initiation of a conflict or battle. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fighting began" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the commencement of conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, remember to provide adequate context and use the correct tense. Alternatives such as "hostilities commenced" or "conflict broke out" can offer slight variations in tone or emphasis. By keeping these points in mind, writers can effectively and accurately convey the start of conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostilities commenced

This alternative uses more formal language to denote the start of armed conflict.

battle commenced

Similar to 'hostilities commenced', but specifically refers to a battle.

combat initiated

This phrase is a more direct and forceful way of saying that fighting started.

conflict broke out

This phrase emphasizes a sudden and often unexpected start to conflict.

clashes ensued

This suggests that fighting followed as a consequence of some prior event.

assault initiated

This suggests a planned military offensive was started.

skirmishes erupted

This suggests smaller, more localized outbreaks of fighting.

violence erupted

This phrase broadens the scope to include any form of violent conflict, not just military.

aggression started

This emphasizes the initiation of hostile actions by one party against another.

warfare ignited

This implies a more intense and widespread outbreak of conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "fighting began" in a sentence?

You can use "fighting began" to describe the commencement of a conflict. For example, "Fighting began after the ceasefire agreement collapsed".

What are some alternatives to "fighting began"?

Alternatives include "hostilities commenced", "combat initiated", or "conflict broke out", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fighting has begun" instead of "fighting began"?

While "fighting has begun" is grammatically correct and indicates that the fighting started in the past and continues to the present, "fighting began" refers specifically to the start of the conflict in the past. Choose the tense based on the intended meaning.

What caused the "fighting began"?

The causes of "fighting began" can vary widely depending on the specific conflict, including political disputes, resource competition, or territorial claims.