fought with

USAGE SUMMARY

'fought with' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe two people or groups in a struggle or battle against one another. For example, "The two armies fought with each other for hours".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She fought with boys.

The New Yorker

PROTESTERS fought with police.

The Economist

Mo fought with his father.

The New Yorker

She fought with her parents.

The New York Times - Magazine

We fought with our dignity.

The New York Times

He fought with his wife.

The New Yorker

He fought with Jayne.

The Guardian - Books

"We've fought with sandbags.

The New York Times

they fought with nature.

The Guardian - Books

Their mothers fought with them every day.

The New York Times

He fought with Putin – with nobody else".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fought with" to illustrate a direct confrontation or struggle, emphasizing the active engagement in the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "fought with" when describing simple disagreements or debates. Reserve it for situations involving significant opposition or struggle. For milder disagreements, consider using "disagreed with" or "debated with."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fought with" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action of conflict or opposition. As noted by Ludwig, it describes a struggle or battle against someone or something. Examples include "She fought with her parents" and "They fought with nature".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fought with" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a conflict or struggle. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed in English writing. Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it frequently illustrates confrontations. Alternatives like "battled against" or "clashed with" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. It's crucial to use "fought with" appropriately, reserving it for significant conflicts rather than minor disagreements. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse settings. Ludwig's analysis reinforces the phrase's validity and provides contextual examples for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggled against

Changes "fought" to "struggled", highlighting the difficulty and effort involved in the conflict.

warred with

Suggests a state of prolonged and intense conflict, similar to a war.

battled against

Replaces "fought" with "battled", emphasizing a sustained and determined struggle.

had a conflict with

Replaces "fought with" with a more explicit and descriptive phrase.

grappled with

Emphasizes the physical or metaphorical struggle, especially when dealing with a problem or difficult situation.

clashed with

Substitutes "fought" with "clashed", suggesting a brief but intense confrontation.

locked horns with

An idiomatic alternative to "fought with", suggesting a direct and confrontational dispute.

contended with

Replaces "fought" with "contended", implying a struggle involving effort and skill.

took on

Implies facing an opponent or challenge directly and aggressively.

opposed

A more concise alternative, indicating a position of resistance or disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "fought with" in a sentence?

You can use "fought with" to describe a conflict or struggle. For example, "The protesters "clashed with" police" or "She "argued with" her parents about her curfew".

What are some alternatives to "fought with"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "battled against", ""clashed with"", or "struggled against" as alternatives to "fought with".

Is "fought with" formal or informal?

"Fought with" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "contended with" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "fought with" and "argued with"?

"Fought with" implies a more intense and potentially physical conflict, whereas ""argued with"" suggests a verbal disagreement or debate. The choice depends on the severity of the interaction.