fought each other

USAGE SUMMARY

"fought each other" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a physical fight between two or more people. For example: The two boxers fought each other for twelve rounds before the referee finally declared a winner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We fought each other.

The New York Times

"I understand for centuries people have fought each other.

The New York Times

"All the projects have always fought each other.

The New York Times

They had fought each other to a draw.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have fought each other for turf, too.

The New Yorker

WHO, broadly, fought each other during this 30-year period?

The New York Times

They had fought each other in the previous war, in the 1990s, he said.

The New York Times

Starting in the mid-1970's, militias fought each other in the Lebanese civil war.

The New York Times

Civil war broke out as competing Islamic outfits fought each other with their deadly new weapons.

The New York Times

Anarchy followed the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989 as Afghan factions fought each other.

The Guardian

The leader and his recalcitrant MPs have fought each other to a stalemate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fought each other" to describe physical altercations, conflicts, or strong disagreements between two or more parties. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "each other" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "fought each other" when the action isn't reciprocal. If one party is only fighting and the other is not, a different verb or phrasing is more appropriate, such as "attacked" or "opposed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fought each other" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a reciprocal action. It describes a conflict, either physical or metaphorical, where two or more entities engaged in combat or opposition. This usage is supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fought each other" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase to describe reciprocal conflict or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its neutrality allows its application across diverse contexts, from news reporting to casual conversation. However, it's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects a two-way conflict. Alternatives like "battled one another" or "clashed with each other" can provide nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battled one another

Replaces "fought" with "battled", adding a slightly more formal and intense tone.

clashed with each other

Substitutes "fought" with "clashed", implying a more confrontational disagreement.

contended with one another

A more formal way of saying "fought", implying a serious and sustained struggle.

opposed one another

Uses "opposed" instead of "fought", indicating a resistance or disagreement without physical violence.

struggled against each other

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in the conflict.

were in conflict

Replaces the verb with a state of being, focusing on the ongoing discord.

competed against each other

Emphasizes the competitive aspect, suggesting a rivalry rather than outright aggression.

were at odds

Suggests a state of disagreement or tension, often less intense than a direct fight.

went to war

Emphasizes a larger, more organized and intense conflict between groups or nations.

locked horns

An idiomatic expression suggesting a direct and forceful confrontation or argument.

FAQs

What does "fought each other" mean?

The phrase "fought each other" means that two or more people or groups were involved in a physical or intense verbal conflict.

What are some alternatives to "fought each other"?

You can use alternatives like "battled one another", "clashed with each other", or "opposed one another", depending on the context.

Is "fought each other" formal or informal?

"Fought each other" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing.

How can I use "fought each other" in a sentence?

You can use "fought each other" in a sentence to describe a conflict: "The two armies "fought each other" for control of the territory."