fired at

USAGE SUMMARY

"fired at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been shot, launched, or thrown at a specific target. For example: "The archer fired at the target and hit the bullseye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then she fired at him.

The New York Times

"They fired at us.

The New York Times

He fired at me and missed.

The New Yorker

A firework was reportedly fired at Buckingham.

Independent

Steve Jobs was fired at Apple.

The New York Times

Hearing shots fired at Cairo university.

The New York Times

None of us fired at ISAF".

The New York Times

He was fired at eight times.

Independent

They fired at the ceiling before fleeing.

The New York Times

The police fired at the crowd.

The New York Times

Confederate artillery frequently fired at them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events or military actions, "fired at" can provide a concise way to explain engagements between opposing forces.

Common error

Avoid using "fired at" when the intent is to describe general shooting in an area. Instead, specify the target to ensure the meaning is clear. For example, do not say "shots were fired at the street" if the shots were aimed at a specific individual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fired at" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action where a projectile is discharged towards a target. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing military engagements, personal attacks, and even metaphorical targeting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fired at" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of directing gunfire or projectiles towards a specific target. As highlighted by Ludwig, its use is prevalent in news, media, and military contexts. When writing, ensure the target is clear, and avoid using the phrase when describing non-projectile related actions such as termination from employment. While alternatives like "shot at" exist, "fired at" remains a direct and effective way to convey this specific act. Remember, depending on your style, you might consider more descriptive sentences to enhance narrative such as "directed fire towards" or "launched against".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shot at

Replaces "fired" with "shot", maintaining the core meaning of directing gunfire towards a target.

opened fire on

Focuses on the initiation of shooting, often implying a sudden or unexpected action.

directed fire towards

A more formal way of saying "fired at", emphasizing the direction of the gunfire.

took aim at

Highlights the preparatory action of aiming before shooting or targeting.

discharged at

Emphasizes the act of releasing a weapon at a specific target.

targeted with

Emphasizes the act of aiming or directing something, not necessarily gunfire, at a specific target.

attacked with

Broader term indicating an aggressive action, where "fired at" specifically implies the use of projectiles.

launched against

Suitable when describing the use of projectiles like missiles or rockets, rather than small arms fire.

barraged with

Indicates a sustained and intense attack, often involving multiple projectiles or attacks.

were let go from

In a context of employment, it means they were dismissed or released from a job.

FAQs

How can I use "fired at" in a sentence?

Use "fired at" to describe an action where a weapon or projectile is directed towards a specific target. For example, "The sniper "fired at" the approaching vehicle".

What's a more formal alternative to "fired at"?

A more formal alternative is "directed fire towards". For example, instead of "The troops "fired at" the enemy", you could say "The troops directed fire towards the enemy position".

Is "fired at" the same as "shot at"?

"Fired at" and "shot at" are largely interchangeable when referring to firearms. However, "fired at" can also apply to projectiles like missiles or rockets, while "shot at" typically implies smaller arms.

When is it incorrect to use "fired at"?

It's incorrect to use "fired at" when describing a situation where someone was dismissed from employment. In that context, use "fired" alone or "terminated".