hitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hitting" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing physical action, achieving a target, or making an impact. Example: "He was hitting the ball with great force during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If they are ruling out these extreme cuts for the most disabled and carers, then it is clear they will be hitting the tax credits, and support for children, for millions of working families".

The Guardian

10 February: Activists claim rockets are hitting Baba Amr at the rate of one every three minutes.

The Guardian

Not every player can go out like Muttiah Muralitharan, taking his 800th wicket with his final ball in Test cricket, or Nasser Hussain, hitting the winning runs to go to a final century at Lord's.

The Guardian - Sport

The attackers used grenade launchers and automatic weapons to fire at the Ukrainian column, hitting an armoured personnel carrier.

The Guardian

Seems he has spent most of the last eight weeks doing nothing but hitting chips.

The Guardian - Sport

Your job: to cross roads, rail tracks and rivers with a host of characters, hitting restart after every splat to get them back into the action.

The Guardian - Tech

On the other hand, Australia have been by far the most potent side going forward, hitting the back of the net 12 times, a goal a game more, on average, than their opponents on Saturday.

The Guardian - Sport

They will be able to hold up to £36,000 in savings (in the same account paying 1.4%) without hitting the £500 tax free limit.

The Guardian - Money

He had given up 145 runs for his three wickets and there was nothing the young spinner could do to halt the fiercest hitting he has had to deal with.

The Guardian - Sport

He's hitting Red Ed with some facts that he's read That smacks of a weird personal odyssey.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.02pm AESTry:02 Try! Queensland 4-10 NSW (Hayne 34) From the resulting set Hayne bullocks forward, is tackled (with Thurston falling off him), but he rolls like a parachutist hitting the ground, and reaches out to score!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical action, use "hitting" to convey a direct and forceful impact. Consider alternatives like "striking" or "impacting" for nuanced meanings or when the effect is more important than the action itself.

Common error

Avoid using "hitting" when a more precise verb would better convey the intended meaning. For instance, instead of "hitting a roadblock", consider "encountering a problem" or "facing an obstacle".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hitting" is as a verb, specifically the present participle form of "hit". It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of striking. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Technology

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Lifestyle

8%

Travel

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "hitting" is a versatile term functioning primarily as a verb but also as a noun, denoting the act of striking. As supported by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sport. When writing, it's crucial to consider alternatives like ""striking"" or ""impacting"" for nuanced meanings and to avoid overuse in abstract contexts. The authoritative sources and expert rating of 4.5 underscore its reliable and consistent usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striking

Implies a forceful contact, similar to hitting, but can also be used in a more abstract sense.

impacting

Focuses on the effect or consequence of the action, rather than the physical act of hitting.

colliding with

Emphasizes the accidental or forceful coming together of two objects.

banging

Suggests a loud, forceful impact, often repeated.

slamming

Indicates a forceful and often noisy closing or impact.

connecting with

Highlights a successful or effective hit, often used in sports.

assailing

Describes a violent or aggressive attack, either physically or verbally.

pounding

Suggests a heavy, rhythmic hitting action.

smashing

Implies a breaking or shattering impact.

landing

Refers to a successful hit or strike, particularly in a competitive context.

FAQs

How can I use "hitting" in a sentence?

"Hitting" can be used to describe a physical action, such as "He was hitting the punching bag." It can also be used metaphorically, like "The news was hitting her hard."

What can I say instead of "hitting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "striking", "impacting", or "colliding with".

Which is correct, "hitting a wall" or "encountering a wall"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "encountering a wall" is often preferred in metaphorical contexts to describe facing a challenge or obstacle, whereas "hitting a wall" is used for a physical impact.

What's the difference between "hitting" and "striking"?

"Hitting" generally implies a direct and forceful impact, while ""striking"" can be more general and may refer to a broader range of actions involving contact. "Striking" can also be used in more formal or abstract contexts.