hostile fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hostile fire" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in military or legal contexts to refer to gunfire or attacks that are aggressive and intended to cause harm. Example: "The soldiers were ordered to return fire only if they were under hostile fire from the enemy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hostile fire was suspected.

The New York Times

Banuelos thought he was returning hostile fire.

The Washington Post

(NATO says there was no hostile fire).

The New Yorker

Did the SEALs encounter hostile fire or not?

The New Yorker

The US said there was no sign of hostile fire.

The Guardian

Casualty hostile fire, died Quang Nam S. Vietnam.

The New York Times

There were no reports that the pilot mentioned hostile fire.

The New York Times

Only two of the deaths were due to hostile fire.

The New York Times

They have suffered no casualties from hostile fire.

The New York Times

The military said "hostile fire" was not a factor.

The New York Times

Most died in accidents, and 18 in hostile fire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or official reports, employ "hostile fire" to precisely denote incidents involving aggressive gunfire from an opposing force.

Common error

While "hostile fire" accurately describes aggressive gunfire, avoid using it metaphorically in contexts where actual weapons aren't involved, as it can sound overly dramatic or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hostile fire" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of action or event—gunfire that is aggressive and intentionally harmful. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, mostly in military or legal settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hostile fire" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's often found in military and legal contexts to describe aggressive gunfire or attacks intended to cause harm. The phrase maintains a neutral register, predominantly appearing in news and media, with limited use in academic or formal business settings. While "hostile fire" is precise and appropriate in conflict-related scenarios, avoid its overuse in metaphorical or non-military contexts. Alternative phrases include ""enemy fire"" or ""attack by gunfire"", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enemy fire

Replaces "hostile" with "enemy", focusing on the source of the fire.

attack by gunfire

Describes the event as an attack, specifying the means as gunfire.

offensive gunfire

Highlights the offensive nature of the gunfire.

incoming fire

Focuses on the direction of the fire, implying it is being received.

aggression by gunfire

Replaces "fire" with more descriptive "aggression by gunfire", focusing on a specific type of aggression.

warlike gunfire

Emphasizes the warlike nature of the gunfire.

combat shelling

Replaces "fire" with "shelling", specifying the type of weapon used in combat.

belligerent gunfire

Focuses on the belligerent aspect of the gunfire.

armed assault

Broadens the scope to any assault involving arms, not just gunfire.

act of war

Broadens the scope to any act of war not related to a gunfire event.

FAQs

How is "hostile fire" typically used in military reports?

In military reports, "hostile fire" is used to describe incidents where gunfire or attacks are aggressive and intended to cause harm. It's a precise term to differentiate from accidental discharges or training exercises.

What's the difference between "hostile fire" and "friendly fire"?

"Hostile fire" refers to gunfire from an enemy or opposing force, whereas "friendly fire" refers to accidental gunfire from one's own side.

Are there situations where "hostile fire" would not be the appropriate term?

Yes, "hostile fire" is not appropriate in situations involving accidental discharges, training exercises, or any scenario where the gunfire is not intentionally aggressive or directed by an opposing force. Use more neutral language in those contexts.

What are some alternative phrases to "hostile fire" in news reporting?

In news reporting, depending on the context, alternatives to "hostile fire" could include "enemy fire", "attack by gunfire", or simply "gunfire" if the source is clear.