fire was opened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fire was opened" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "fire was opened" is typically used in military or law enforcement contexts to indicate the initiation of gunfire or shooting. Example: "Upon receiving the order, the soldiers knew that fire was opened on the enemy position."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Submachine gun fire was opened from the Right Sector headquarters.

The Guardian

"A portion of the battalion, and among them my company, charged up the turnpike towards the battery, when a tremendous fire was opened up upon us from the battery, and also the whole force stationed in its vicinity," he added.

The New York Times

For about 80 yards rising ground gave some cover but immediately this was topped a very heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened from the edge of Trones Wood and the front line was practically hit to a man.

The Guardian

Machine-gun fire was opened on the Naval Brigade from the roof of the Hotel Astoria, which since the war has been transformed into an hotel for officers, including British officers and other foreigners.

The Guardian

No fire was opened from our side".

Wikipedia

His original plan was to send Yosef Harpaz and the 3rd Company and then Dromi's company, but when fire was opened on Harpaz's men (at approximately 04:00), Zur ordered him to execute a frontal assault.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

All it takes to add propane to the fire is opening a simple blast valve on the line attached to the propane tanks, typically located just beneath the burner.

WikiHow

I encourage you to never give up and to always be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire; be open to changes and new ideas as you transform your side hustle.

Huffington Post

We encourage you to never give up, to be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire, be open to changes and new ideas as you transform the world around you. #GivingTuesday is an incredible outlet that encourages and amplifies small acts of kindness.

Huffington Post

A. When a railroad line was extended parallel to what is now Braddock Avenue in 1871, some of the surplus land was deeded to the state for use by the New York National Guard, and a 1,000-yard 1,000-yardge was opened in 1873.

The New York Times

After completion of the laser firing, the cornea incision was opened with a Sinskey hook.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the initiation of gunfire, use the more grammatically accepted phrase "fire was opened". This phrase is commonly found in military or law enforcement contexts.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "fire was opened" in formal writing. While it appears in some contexts, it's not considered grammatically correct. Opt for alternatives like "gunfire commenced" or "shooting began".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fire was opened" typically functions as a passive construction indicating the commencement of shooting. Ludwig AI suggests that while present in some sources, the phrase isn't considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fire was opened" is used to describe the start of shooting, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the usage is relatively uncommon and primarily found in news and wiki contexts. For more formal or professional writing, it's best to use alternatives such as "gunfire commenced" or "shooting began". Despite its occurrence in some sources, relying on grammatically sound alternatives ensures clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gunfire commenced

Replaces "fire" with "gunfire" and uses the more formal verb "commenced" instead of "opened".

shooting began

Uses simpler terms "shooting" and "began" to convey the start of gunfire.

gunfire erupted

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful start of gunfire using the word "erupted".

shots were fired

Uses a passive construction to focus on the action of firing shots.

attack initiated

Describes a wider action including the start of the fire

the battle started

Describes the beginning of combat with firearms

fighting broke out

Indicates a sudden commencement of fighting, including potential gunfire.

combat initiated

A formal alternative emphasizing the start of combat.

hostilities commenced

Uses formal language to describe the beginning of armed conflict.

skirmish began

Describes the start of a brief fight or encounter with gunfire.

FAQs

Is "fire was opened" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "fire was opened" is used, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Consider using "gunfire commenced" or "shooting began" instead.

What's a better way to say that shooting has started?

Instead of "fire was opened", you can use phrases like "shots were fired", "gunfire erupted", or "shooting began".

Are there formal alternatives to "fire was opened"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "combat initiated" or "hostilities commenced". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Can "fire was opened" be used in any context?

The phrase "fire was opened" may be acceptable in informal contexts, but it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Choose alternatives like "gunfire commenced" or "shooting began" for clarity and grammatical correctness.