inflict violence

USAGE SUMMARY

'inflict violence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a deliberate action taken by a person or group to cause harm to another person or group. For example, "The police attempted to intervene when they witnessed a group of people attempting to inflict violence on a single individual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But of course they should not inflict violence on their children, or break the law.

The Guardian

Police can wrongly inflict violence on fellow citizens, as long as nobody is killed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, unions often come in to defend member officers who inflict violence and abuse upon inmates.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They should make it impossible for men to inflict violence against their wives in their homes," she says.

The Guardian

In other words, police need not bash a suspect's head while putting him in the squad car to inflict violence.

The Washington Post

How do we respond to the fact that Jesus suffered a violent death but did not inflict violence on any living being?

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Inflicting violence on your children does.

The Guardian - Books

Talulla has a conflicted view of motherhood, and even fears inflicting violence on her own children.

The New York Times

Tarantino doesn't in general hesitate to see cinematic violence inflicted upon women — but he also doesn't shy away from women inflicting violence, either.

The New Yorker

Doing so, targeted killing by drones is not simply another form of inflicting violence by technical means to political opponents.

Stanford University

If Marines visited and commented favorably on virtual platforms devoted to demeaning and inflicting violence on black Marines, the corps would almost certainly respond forcefully.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inflict violence", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether it is individuals, groups, or systems inflicting the violence.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing who is inflicting violence. For example, instead of "Violence was inflicted", specify who inflicted the violence to maintain clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inflict violence" functions as a verb phrase, where 'inflict' is the transitive verb and 'violence' is its direct object. It describes the action of causing or imposing violence on someone or something. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inflict violence" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe the act of causing harm or aggression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, though primarily found in news and academic settings. When using "inflict violence", it is important to ensure clarity by specifying who is performing the action and to avoid using passive voice, which can obscure responsibility. Related phrases, such as "commit acts of violence" or "cause physical harm", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit acts of violence

Focuses on the action of committing violence, highlighting the perpetrator's role.

perpetrate violence

Similar to "commit acts of violence", emphasizing the execution of violent acts.

cause physical harm

Highlights the outcome of the action, focusing on the physical damage inflicted.

exercise brutality

Emphasizes the excessive and cruel nature of the violence.

unleash aggression

Focuses on the release or deployment of violent force.

carry out violent acts

Emphasizes the planning and execution of violent actions.

visit violence upon

A more formal or literary way of saying "inflict violence", suggesting a deliberate act.

subject to brutality

Focuses on the victim's experience of being subjected to violence.

wage violence

Suggests a sustained and organized campaign of violence.

visit harm on

A more euphemistic way of saying "inflict violence", downplaying the severity of the act.

FAQs

What does "inflict violence" mean?

"Inflict violence" means to deliberately cause physical harm or injury to someone.

How can I use "inflict violence" in a sentence?

You can use "inflict violence" to describe actions where someone deliberately causes harm, such as, "The dictator's regime was known to "perpetrate violence" against its own citizens".

What are some synonyms for "inflict violence"?

Alternatives include "commit acts of violence", "cause physical harm", or "exercise brutality".

Is it better to use "inflict violence" or "commit violence"?

Both phrases are correct, but "inflict violence" emphasizes the action of causing harm, while "commit violence" focuses more on the act itself. The best choice depends on the specific context.