launched an attack

USAGE SUMMARY

"launched an attack" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an aggressive action that has been taken. For example, "The small army launched an attack on the enemy base."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They launched an attack of their own.

The New Yorker

In 2015 it launched an attack in southern Niger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A married couple launched an attack together in California.

The Guardian

After he was released, rebels launched an attack on the branch.

The New York Times

Earlier this week Neil Warnock launched an attack on Chelsea for their handling of the affair.

Independent

He launched an attack on the way many media outlets reported on the case.

Independent

In the East, Ögödei launched an attack on the Jin (Juchen) dynasty of North China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And I was supposed to help Massoud from inside Taloqan when he launched an attack".

The New Yorker

David Cameron's former top guru has launched an attack on the Conservatives' rhetoric around immigration.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sorting out just who launched an attack and in whose name can be excruciatingly difficult.

Huffington Post

One hundred Palestinians lost their lives when Israel launched an attack after Gilad Shalit's capture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to choose more specific alternatives if applicable. For example, in cyber security contexts, "initiated a cyberattack" may be preferable.

Common error

While "launched an attack" is generally correct, using it repeatedly in a narrative can become monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "initiated an offensive" or "mounted an assault" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "launched an attack" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an aggressive action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across varied contexts. Examples showcase usage in describing military actions, political rhetoric, and even metaphorical combat.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "launched an attack" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to denote the commencement of aggressive actions, both literal and metaphorical. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider synonyms like "initiated an offensive" or "mounted an assault" to avoid repetition and tailor the expression to the specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the expression's correctness and usability in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commenced an assault

This alternative uses "commenced" instead of "launched" and "assault" instead of "attack", offering a more formal tone.

initiated an offensive

This phrase substitutes "launched" with "initiated" and "attack" with "offensive", implying a planned and strategic action.

began an assault

Similar to the original, this option replaces "launched" with "began", providing a more straightforward and less forceful tone.

mounted an offensive

Using "mounted" in place of "launched" emphasizes the preparation and execution of the attack.

undertook an attack

This alternative presents a more formal tone using the term "undertook."

started an offensive

The phrase replaces "launched" with "started" and "attack" with "offensive", for a simple and direct expression.

carried out an attack

This option replaces "launched" with "carried out", highlighting the execution of the action.

conducted an assault

This alternative uses "conducted" instead of "launched" and "assault" instead of "attack", emphasizing a methodical execution.

unleashed an assault

This alternative replaces "launched" with "unleashed" for a more forceful and uncontrolled connotation.

instigated an attack

This option replaces "launched" with "instigated", suggesting the act of initiating or provoking the attack.

FAQs

How can I use "launched an attack" in a sentence?

You can use "launched an attack" to describe the beginning of an aggressive action. For example, "The rebels "launched an attack" on the city center."

What are some alternatives to "launched an attack"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "initiated an offensive", "began an assault", or "mounted an offensive".

Is it correct to say "commenced an attack" instead of "launched an attack"?

Yes, "commenced an attack" is a valid alternative. "Commenced" is a more formal synonym for "launched".

What's the difference between "launched an attack" and "launched an assault"?

While similar, "assault" often implies a more intense and direct form of attack. "Launched an assault" suggests a forceful and sudden offensive.