martial art

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "martial art" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For example: He has studied karate, a martial art, for many years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

See also martial art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Surfing could be considered a martial art.

The New York Times

(It is actually a martial art).

The New York Times

Which is a martial art.

The Guardian - Travel

Or a martial art she hasn't mastered?

The New York Times

"It's like a martial art," Kid Millions said.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a martial art, but always done with a partner.

The New Yorker

They bore no arms (karate developed as Okinawa's martial art).

The Economist

He practices the martial art but was never an instructor.

The Washington Post

One such has been the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi Chuan (TC).

Medical Hypotheses

Is capoeira a dance or a martial art?

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific "martial art", be precise with its name (e.g., Karate, Judo, Taekwondo) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "martial art" to broadly categorize all forms of physical activity or sports; it specifically refers to systematized combat practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "martial art" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It is used to identify and categorize specific systems of combat and self-defense. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is used both as a general term and to refer to specific disciplines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

23%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "martial art" is a versatile term used to describe systematized combat practices. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific publications. When using the phrase, it is beneficial to be specific with the name of the "martial art" being discussed (e.g., Judo, Karate). While commonly used, remember that "martial art" refers specifically to combat systems and not all physical activities. Its frequent use, combined with a neutral register, makes it a readily understandable term for describing these disciplines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combat discipline

Emphasizes the disciplined training involved.

fighting system

Highlights the systematic approach to combat.

traditional fighting style

Emphasizes the historical and cultural origins.

self-defense method

Focuses on the use for personal protection.

self-defence technique

Similar to self-defense method.

combat sport

Highlights the competitive aspect.

hand-to-hand combat

Focuses solely on unarmed fighting.

oriental combat

Highlights the origin from Asia.

weapon-based combat

Focuses on combat with weapons instead of unarmed fighting.

close combat

Focuses on fighting at very short range.

FAQs

How to use "martial art" in a sentence?

You can use "martial art" to describe a specific combat system, for example: "Karate is a Japanese "martial art"." Or, you can use it in a broader sense: "She has been training in various "martial arts" for many years."

What's the difference between "martial art" and "combat sport"?

"Martial art" refers to systematized combat practices, often with historical or philosophical roots, while "combat sport" emphasizes the competitive aspect and rules-based fighting.

Which martial art should I start learning?

The best "martial art" to learn depends on your personal goals, interests, and physical abilities. Some popular choices include Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

What are some examples of different martial arts?

Examples of "martial arts" include Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Capoeira.