fighting broke out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fighting broke out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden occurrence of violence or conflict, often in a public or chaotic setting. Example: "As tensions rose during the protest, fighting broke out among the opposing groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Soon, fighting broke out across the city.

The New York Times - Books

Soon afterwards, fighting broke out again.

The Economist

During the workshop, fighting broke out outside.

The Guardian

At 12 40, fighting broke out for Third Platoon.

The New York Times

Soon after the UN resolution, fighting broke out in Palestine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But when fighting broke out, the female soldiers fought back.

The New York Times - Arts

Inevitably fighting broke out, and one keeper was slightly injured.

The Guardian - Opinion

In late April, fighting broke out between soldiers and Kamajors in the central region.

The Economist

He was 11 when fighting broke out in his Somali village.

The New York Times - Magazine

On May 7th, fighting broke out between Hezbollah's allies and supporters of Hariri.

The New Yorker

Renewed fighting broke out in Haiti in early February, and by month's end embattled Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fighting broke out" to describe the sudden start of conflict, especially when the specific cause or participants are not immediately clear. It's effective for creating a sense of immediacy in news reports or narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "fighting broke out" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language, such as "hostilities commenced" or "conflict erupted", might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fighting broke out" is to act as a verb phrase indicating the sudden commencement of a conflict or violent event. As Ludwig AI suggests, this expression is commonly used in various contexts to describe the outbreak of hostilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fighting broke out" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the sudden start of a conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media but also appears in encyclopedias and business contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing. The phrase serves to inform an audience about the beginning of a conflict, and understanding its nuances helps in choosing the most appropriate wording for different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostilities commenced

Emphasizes the formal beginning of conflict, suitable for more serious contexts.

skirmishes erupted

Highlights small-scale, often brief, clashes that suddenly began.

violence flared up

Suggests a sudden increase in existing tensions, leading to violence.

conflict ignited

Implies a triggering event that started the conflict.

clashes ensued

Indicates that conflict followed as a direct consequence of a preceding event.

a brawl started

Refers to a more disorganized and less strategic form of fighting.

combat initiated

Highlights the beginning of military action or strategic fighting.

a scuffle began

Describes a brief and often less intense physical struggle.

warfare erupted

Suggests a large-scale and organized armed conflict suddenly began.

a confrontation arose

Emphasizes the initial face-to-face encounter that led to the conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "fighting broke out" in a sentence?

You can use "fighting broke out" to describe the sudden beginning of a conflict or violent situation. For example: "During the protest, "fighting broke out" between the demonstrators and the police."

What can I say instead of "fighting broke out"?

Alternatives include "hostilities commenced", "violence erupted", or "clashes ensued", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "fighting broke out" formal or informal?

"Fighting broke out" is generally considered neutral in tone. While suitable for news reports and general narratives, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional contexts. For example, consider using "hostilities commenced" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "fighting broke out" and "a fight broke out"?

"Fighting broke out" typically implies a larger-scale conflict involving multiple participants, whereas "a fight broke out" suggests a smaller, more isolated incident between a few individuals.