i shot him

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase, 'I shot him', is indeed correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used in the context of shooting a gun, usually figuratively, or in the context of a film or story. For example, "I couldn't believe what I had just done; I shot him and he was lying in a pool of his own blood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So I shot him".

The New York Times - Books

I shot him twice".

The New York Times

I shot him".

Independent

Yeah, I shot him.

The Guardian - Opinion

I shot him once.

The Guardian - Books

He pulled first; I shot him".

The New Yorker

I shot him a look.

The New York Times

"I shot him by accident".

The New York Times

I shot him a fierce look as I left.

The New Yorker

Then I shot him four times more.

The Guardian - Books

I shot him in the belly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "i shot him", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's literal (with a firearm) or figurative (e.g., "i shot him a look"). Clarity prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "i shot him" in contexts where it could be misconstrued as a violent act. For instance, instead of "i shot him a message", consider alternatives like "i sent him a message" to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i shot him" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past action performed by the speaker. It is a direct statement indicating that the speaker shot another person or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i shot him" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, the phrase is correct and has different nuances, from a literal shooting to a figurative expression, such as "i shot him a look". It's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid misinterpretation. Although "i shot him" is very common, alternatives like "i fired at him" or "i took a shot at him" can offer different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i pulled the trigger and shot him

Emphasizes the physical action of pulling the trigger.

i used a gun to shoot him

Specifies the instrument used for the shooting.

i fired at him

Focuses more on the act of firing, less direct than stating a hit.

i discharged my weapon at him

More formal and specific about the weapon used.

i let off a shot at him

Describes the act of releasing a shot, less committal about the result.

i took a shot at him

Implies an attempt to shoot, not necessarily a successful hit.

i aimed my weapon and fired

Focuses on aiming before firing, without explicitly stating a hit.

i wounded him with a shot

Highlights the result of the shooting: the person was wounded.

i aimed and shot

Describes the action of aiming before shooting, adding detail.

i opened fire on him

Suggests a more aggressive and sustained attack.

FAQs

What does "i shot him" mean?

The phrase "i shot him" typically means that the speaker used a firearm to shoot another person. However, it can also be used figuratively to describe giving someone a particular look or sending something quickly, like "i shot him a text".

Can "i shot him" be used in a context other than violence?

Yes, "i shot him" can be used figuratively. For example, "i shot him a look" means the speaker gave someone a specific expression. Similarly, "i shot him an email" means the speaker quickly sent someone an email.

What are some alternatives to "i shot him a look"?

Instead of "i shot him a look", you could say "i gave him a look", "i glanced at him", or "i glared at him depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "i shot him a text"?

While "i shot him a text" is not a standard idiom, it's sometimes used informally to mean sending a text message quickly. However, it's clearer to say "i sent him a text" for better understanding.