make war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make war" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a situation of conflict between two sides or groups, usually involving military action. For example: "The two countries have been at odds for years, but they refused to make war on each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It can make war.

Independent

Men make war.

The New Yorker

Make war.

The Guardian - Books

Young people do not make war.

The New York Times

Why do we make war?

The Guardian

Make war not love, hey!

The Guardian - Books

Into weapons to make war.

The Guardian - Books

And of course, we make war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's because men make war," he says.

The Guardian - Film

Today they wanted to make war.

The Guardian - Sport

She wants to make war, not babies.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make war" when you want to emphasize the act of initiating or engaging in conflict, especially in contexts involving nations, armies, or organized groups.

Common error

Avoid using "make war" in informal situations where a less aggressive term would be more appropriate. Phrases like "start a fight" or "cause trouble" may be better suited for everyday disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make war" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of engaging in warfare or initiating a conflict. It clearly indicates active participation in hostilities, as seen in examples like "Men make war" or "Instead of pursuing peace, Russia and Assad make war."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make war" is a verb phrase used to describe engaging in or initiating armed conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, its intensity suggests avoiding it in overly casual settings. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""wage war"" or "initiate hostilities" depending on the desired level of formality. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication when discussing matters of conflict and aggression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wage war

Emphasizes the act of carrying out war, often suggesting a sustained effort.

go to war

A more direct and common way to express entering a state of war.

initiate hostilities

Focuses on starting conflict, often in a formal or diplomatic context.

declare war

Highlights the formal declaration of a state of war by a government.

engage in conflict

Highlights involvement in a dispute, which may or may not be violent.

launch an attack

Specifically refers to the commencement of aggressive action.

take up arms

Implies preparing for or starting a fight, often suggesting a defensive posture.

start a fight

A less formal way to describe initiating a conflict, applicable to both physical and verbal disputes.

become belligerent

Focuses on the act of becoming hostile and aggressive.

stir up conflict

Suggests causing or provoking a disagreement or battle.

FAQs

How can I use "make war" in a sentence?

You can use "make war" to describe the act of engaging in warfare. For example, "The country decided to "wage war" after the attack on its borders".

What's a more formal alternative to "make war"?

A more formal alternative is "initiate hostilities", which is often used in diplomatic or official contexts.

Is "make war" the same as "go to war"?

While similar, "go to war" typically refers to the general state of being at war, whereas "make war" emphasizes the active engagement in warfare.

When is it appropriate to use "make war" instead of "engage in conflict"?

"Make war" is appropriate when referring to armed conflicts, while "engage in conflict" can encompass a broader range of disputes, including non-violent ones.