indiscriminately firing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indiscriminately firing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action taken without careful consideration or discrimination, often in contexts involving shooting or criticism. Example: "The soldier was accused of indiscriminately firing into the crowd, causing panic and chaos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mr. Rahami fled, "indiscriminately firing his weapon at passing vehicles".

The New York Times

I've spent more than enough time running around alien ships indiscriminately firing rocket launchers.

The New York Times - Tech

One commander responded by indiscriminately firing rockets and artillery shells into Kabul.

The New York Times

excesses, including officers indiscriminately firing on teen-age girls or crowded buses.

The New Yorker

"I understand that the suspect was indiscriminately firing his weapon at passing vehicles," Sarnicki said.

The Washington Post

Few have security personnel managing crowds and rely instead on police officers who tend to overreact in riots by indiscriminately firing tear gas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But investigators concluded that the guards, who were escorting American diplomats, had indiscriminately fired in an unprovoked and unjustified assault.

The New York Times

The two attackers indiscriminately fired seven or eight rounds into the bus before escaping on their motorcycle as a nearby police officer tried to chase.

The New York Times

Investigators concluded that the guards had indiscriminately fired on unarmed civilians in an unprovoked and unjustified assault near the crowded traffic circle on Sept. 16, 2007.

The New York Times

On the Gaza-Egypt border, tunnels have been used to smuggle rockets into Gaza that have been repeatedly and indiscriminately fired on Israeli cities.

The New York Times

But unions and human rights groups, which organized Friday's protest, say workers are being indiscriminately fired while Argentinians continue to lose purchasing power to one of the world's highest inflation rates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indiscriminately firing", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of targeted or selective shooting. This phrase is often used in discussions about military actions, law enforcement, or violent conflicts where the absence of discrimination in targeting is a key issue.

Common error

Avoid using "indiscriminately firing" when the action, although harmful, clearly targets a specific group or objective. The term implies a broader lack of selectivity than targeted violence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indiscriminately firing" functions as a verb phrase where the adverb "indiscriminately" modifies the action of "firing". It describes the manner in which the action of shooting is performed, emphasizing its non-selective nature. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its common usage in describing conflict scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indiscriminately firing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes shooting without aiming at specific targets. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase often appears in news and media contexts, emphasizing the lack of discrimination in such actions. Related phrases include "firing randomly" and "shooting wildly", each with slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context supports the idea of a lack of targeted or selective shooting. The frequency of use is common, indicating it is a well-understood and widely applied term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firing randomly

Focuses on the lack of a specific target or pattern in the firing.

shooting wildly

Emphasizes the lack of aim and control, suggesting a chaotic situation.

unleashing a barrage

Implies a continuous and heavy stream of fire, possibly from multiple weapons.

spraying bullets

Highlights the wide dispersal of bullets, indicating a broad area being targeted without precision.

opening fire without aiming

Directly states the absence of targeting, clarifying the lack of intentionality.

uncontrolled gunfire

Focuses on the lack of regulation or restraint in the act of firing.

randomly discharging a firearm

Emphasizes the accidental or unplanned nature of the firing.

blindly shooting

Suggests a lack of visibility or awareness of the targets being fired upon.

unselectively shooting

Focuses on the absence of choosing specific targets, hitting anyone in the vicinity.

haphazardly firing

Highlights the disorganized or chaotic nature of the shooting.

FAQs

What does "indiscriminately firing" mean?

The phrase "indiscriminately firing" means to shoot without aiming at a specific target, hitting anyone or anything within range. It implies a lack of discrimination or selectivity in the act of shooting.

How can I use "indiscriminately firing" in a sentence?

You can use "indiscriminately firing" to describe a situation where someone is shooting without regard for who or what they are hitting. For example: "The soldiers were accused of "firing indiscriminately" into the crowd."

What are some alternatives to "indiscriminately firing"?

Some alternatives to "indiscriminately firing" include "firing randomly", "shooting wildly", or "opening fire without aiming".

What is the difference between "indiscriminately firing" and "selectively firing"?

"Indiscriminately firing" implies a lack of targeting, while "selectively firing" means choosing specific targets. One is random and uncontrolled, while the other is deliberate and intentional.