involved in hostilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "involved in hostilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe participation or engagement in conflict or warfare situations. Example: "The soldiers were involved in hostilities during the recent military operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Israeli human-rights organization B'tselem has documented seven hundred and seventy-three cases in which Israeli forces killed civilians not involved in hostilities.

The New Yorker

It is the very fact that doctors treat on the basis of need – and are not involved in hostilities – that they can claim protection under international humanitarian law.

The Guardian - Opinion

The percentage of Palestinian civilians killed who were not involved in hostilities also declined in 2007, to 35percentt, from 54percentt in 2006, Btselem said.

The New York Times

The Obama Administration has, for a couple of months now, been arguing that our country is not even involved in "hostilities" in Libya.

The New Yorker

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that casualties among civilians not involved in hostilities in Afghanistan were at an all-time high.

The Guardian

After Vietnam, an undeclared war, Congress passed the War Powers Resolution, requiring congressional consent if U.S. forces are involved in "hostilities" overseas for more than 60 days.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Such groups, some of whom have been involved in armed hostilities since the report was withdrawn, are also often openly white supremacist, hostile to immigrants, Islamophobic and prone to anti-government conspiracies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gelon early became involved in inconclusive hostilities with Carthage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Elements of government paramilitary forces and other armed militias were involved in the hostilities, particularly in large-scale attacks against civilians in and around Um Dukhun, central Darfur.

The Guardian

Amnesty concluded that of about 1,190 Lebanese killed, "the vast majority were civilians not involved in the hostilities, among them hundreds of children".

The New York Times

News of the kidnappings was splashed across Kenya's front pages, and family members of the detained men came forward to say all three were Muslims who were not involved in any hostilities in the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "involved in hostilities", ensure the context clearly specifies the nature and extent of the involvement. Be precise about whether it refers to direct combat, support roles, or indirect participation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "involved in hostilities" when the connection to the conflict is tenuous or indirect. Instead, opt for more specific language that accurately reflects the nature of the involvement, such as "affected by the conflict" or "concerned with the hostilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "involved in hostilities" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often used to specify the level and nature of participation in a conflict. Ludwig examples show both direct and indirect participation being described. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "involved in hostilities" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe participation in armed conflict. Ludwig's analysis of various sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and formal documents, shows its prevalence in objective and informative contexts. While straightforward, it's important to use the phrase accurately to reflect the specific nature of the involvement. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is a standard and usable expression in English writing. Remember to consider related phrases like "engaged in conflict" or "participating in warfare" to fine-tune your message and provide a clearer picture of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaged in conflict

This alternative emphasizes active participation in a dispute or struggle.

participating in warfare

This phrase specifically denotes taking part in military operations or war.

embroiled in conflict

This suggests being deeply entangled in a complicated and often unwanted dispute.

entangled in warfare

Similar to embroiled, this implies a complex and difficult involvement in war.

caught up in hostilities

This suggests an unintentional or accidental involvement in conflict.

mixed up in conflict

This suggests a less formal, possibly inadvertent, involvement in a dispute.

implicated in aggression

This suggests a level of responsibility or blame in initiating or perpetuating hostile actions.

associated with belligerence

This alternative indicates a connection to, or support of, warlike behavior.

linked to aggression

This implies a connection, whether direct or indirect, to acts of hostility.

concerned in conflict

This indicates an interest or worry relating to conflict, not necessarily direct participation.

FAQs

How can I use "involved in hostilities" in a sentence?

You can use "involved in hostilities" to describe someone or something participating in armed conflict, such as "The troops were "involved in hostilities" near the border" or "Civilians were caught "involved in hostilities" despite efforts to protect them".

What are some alternatives to "involved in hostilities"?

Alternatives include "engaged in conflict", "participating in warfare", or "embroiled in conflict", each offering a slightly different nuance.

What is the difference between "involved in hostilities" and "affected by hostilities"?

"Involved in hostilities" implies active participation in the conflict, while "affected by hostilities" suggests being impacted by the conflict without necessarily being an active participant. It's important to choose the phrase that best describes the actual situation.

Is "involved in hostilities" a formal or informal expression?

"Involved in hostilities" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic writing, and official communications. However, in casual conversations, other alternatives could be used to avoid sounding too formal.