main combatants are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main combatants are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary parties involved in a conflict or competition, such as in a historical, military, or sports context. Example: "In the battle, the main combatants are the forces of the North and the South, each vying for control of the territory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Jones's main combatants are Maj.

The New York Times

The main combatants are the big-time bankers and businessmen who rallied round Mr Yeltsin to get him re-elected a year ago, but who have been reverting to old rivalries since.

The Economist

The main combatants are the attorney general and federal prosecutors on one side and a network of public defenders, immigration and criminal defense lawyers, civil libertarians and some constitutional scholars on the other, with federal judges in between.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army.

Wikipedia

The main combatants were two Canadian infantry divisions with additional support from the Canadian 2nd Armoured Brigade against elements of three German SS Panzer divisions.

Wikipedia

The main combatants were two United Nations infantry divisions, with additional support from the United States Air Force, against elements of the 15th and 12th Corps of the People's Republic of China.

Wikipedia

Thanks in part to South Africa's tireless diplomacy, the main combatants have been pushed into signing a series of pacts, and most foreign troops have withdrawn from Congo.

The Economist

The main exception is when just combatants are acting impermissibly, for example by pursuing their just goals by impermissible means.

The New York Times

While just combatants are usually justified in attacking unjust combatants, unjust combatants are seldom justified in attacking just combatants.

The New York Times

Innocent means "unthreatening," so that in war non-combatants are innocent while all combatants are noninnocent.

The New York Times

Even some of the combatants are concerned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conflicts, ensure the term "main combatants are" accurately reflects the primary entities engaged in the struggle. Avoid using it for peripheral or indirectly involved parties.

Common error

Avoid including non-essential entities when specifying the "main combatants are". Focus only on those directly and significantly involved in the conflict or competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main combatants are" functions as a subject complement, identifying the primary participants involved in a conflict, competition, or dispute. Ludwig AI shows its use in news, media, and wiki contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main combatants are" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to identify the primary participants in a conflict or competition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in news and media, as well as wiki contexts, and carries a neutral register. While not extremely common, it effectively serves to clarify the key entities involved in a given struggle. When using this phrase, it's important to accurately identify the primary parties and avoid including peripheral entities. Alternative phrases such as "primary adversaries are" or "key participants are" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary adversaries are

Replaces "combatants" with "adversaries", emphasizing the opposing nature of the parties involved.

key participants are

Uses a more general term, "participants", instead of "combatants", suitable for conflicts beyond physical combat.

principal belligerents are

Substitutes "combatants" with the more formal "belligerents", appropriate for legal or historical contexts.

chief contenders are

Employs "contenders" to highlight the competitive aspect, useful in non-violent conflicts or games.

major antagonists are

Replaces "combatants" with "antagonists", focusing on the adversarial relationship.

leading rivals are

Uses "rivals" to denote a competitive relationship, suitable for business or sports contexts.

central opponents are

Emphasizes the opposition with "opponents", applicable in various competitive scenarios.

foremost fighters are

Replaces "combatants" with "fighters", emphasizing the act of fighting or struggle.

dominant forces are

Shifts the focus to the power dynamic, using "forces" instead of individuals.

principal parties are

A more neutral and general alternative, suitable for formal or legal settings where the term "combatants" may be inappropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "main combatants are" in a sentence?

You can use "main combatants are" to identify the primary parties involved in a conflict, such as "In this dispute, the main combatants are the two corporations vying for market share".

What's a good alternative to "main combatants are"?

Alternatives include "primary adversaries are", "key participants are", or "principal belligerents are", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "main combatants are" in a business context?

Yes, it can be appropriate in a business context to describe companies competing for market dominance or involved in a legal dispute. However, consider using less aggressive alternatives like "leading rivals are".

Can "main combatants are" refer to non-human entities?

Yes, "main combatants are" can refer to non-human entities such as nations, organizations, or even abstract concepts in conflict, as long as they are the primary entities engaged in the struggle.