firing indiscriminately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firing indiscriminately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is shooting or attacking without regard for the consequences or the identity of the targets. Example: "The soldiers were ordered to stop firing indiscriminately, as it was endangering innocent civilians."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

E7 denied firing indiscriminately.

The Guardian

More gunmen moved through the area in a hijacked police vehicle, firing indiscriminately.

The Guardian

Eventually, the police came and let us in, saying he was still firing indiscriminately.

The New Yorker

Witnesses said that the gunman ran into a "crowded area" and began "firing indiscriminately".

The Guardian

"At some point, a male displayed a firearm and starts firing indiscriminately," the official said.

The New York Times

They accused the Iraqis of firing indiscriminately, often at people who represented no threat.

The New York Times

Firing indiscriminately, Ryan then ran amok, leaving bloodshed in his wake.

The Guardian

Without warning they entered the party and began firing indiscriminately before escaping.

The New York Times

Mr. Grant said the officer was not firing indiscriminately, but at the driver.

The New York Times

"They were firing indiscriminately, they shot a lot of people," he said.

The Guardian

According to Mr Ibrahim, the soldiers were by now firing indiscriminately.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on incidents involving gunfire, use "firing indiscriminately" to convey a lack of target selection or control, particularly when innocent bystanders are at risk.

Common error

Avoid using "firing indiscriminately" when you mean "firing ineffectively". The former indicates a lack of target selection, while the latter suggests poor marksmanship or inadequate firepower. "Firing indiscriminately" can have more severe legal and ethical implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firing indiscriminately" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which someone is shooting. It indicates a lack of target selection or precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firing indiscriminately" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of shooting without aiming at specific targets, often implying a disregard for the safety of others. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "shooting randomly" exist, "firing indiscriminately" specifically emphasizes the lack of discrimination in targeting. Be mindful not to confuse it with "firing ineffectively", which focuses on the shooter's skill rather than their intent. To avoid confusion, make sure that the intended meaning is well understood based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indiscriminate fire

A more formal and concise way of expressing the same lack of discrimination.

unselective shooting

Highlights the lack of discrimination in choosing targets.

uncontrolled shooting

Focuses on the lack of regulation or direction in the gunfire.

blind firing

Suggests shooting without seeing the target, emphasizing a lack of precision.

shooting randomly

Emphasizes the lack of a specific target in the act of shooting.

aimless shooting

Highlights the absence of a specific target or purpose in the shooting.

random gunfire

Focuses on the chaotic nature of the shooting, removing the intent aspect.

wild gunfire

Emphasizes the chaotic and uncontrolled nature of the shooting.

spraying bullets

Highlights the wide distribution of bullets, implying a lack of precision.

unaimed shots

Focuses on the lack of aim or direction in the individual shots.

FAQs

How can I use "firing indiscriminately" in a sentence?

You can use "firing indiscriminately" to describe situations where someone is shooting without aiming at specific targets. For example, "The soldiers were accused of "firing indiscriminately" into the crowd."

What's the difference between "firing indiscriminately" and "shooting randomly"?

"Firing indiscriminately" implies a lack of care or selection in targeting, while "shooting randomly" suggests a complete lack of order or pattern. They are similar, but "firing indiscriminately" carries a stronger connotation of negligence.

Which is more accurate: "firing indiscriminately" or "indiscriminate shooting"?

Both "firing indiscriminately" and "indiscriminate shooting" are grammatically correct. "Firing indiscriminately" is a verb phrase, while "indiscriminate shooting" is a noun phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure.

What can I say instead of "firing indiscriminately"?

You can use alternatives like "random gunfire", "shooting randomly", or "indiscriminate fire" depending on the context.