outbreak of hostilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outbreak of hostilities" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the sudden beginning or escalation of conflict or war between nations, groups, or individuals. Example: The outbreak of hostilities between the two neighboring countries resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The recent outbreak of hostilities has led to a sharp increase in tensions.

Yale University

Outbreak of Hostilities Mold menaces China's 2,200-year-old army of terra cotta warriors.

The New York Times

This outbreak of hostilities was precisely what the remainers had warned of.

The Guardian - Business

But the outbreak of hostilities in 1975 wrecked Lebanon's legislative system.

The Guardian

Several espionage agents were arrested before the outbreak of hostilities in Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, Norway again declared itself neutral.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The outbreak of hostilities between England and America encouraged the assertion of Paulding's nationalism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, her father, who made his career in London, joined the British army.

The Guardian - Arts

Such a strike is part of the Pentagon's contingency plan for an outbreak of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula.

The New York Times

Garden, sending a fleet of ambulances to the nearby curbs to await the outbreak of hostilities inside.

The New Yorker

Since the outbreak of hostilities in Iraq, Washington has been insistent that it the crumbling unity in the country restored.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outbreak of hostilities", ensure the context clearly defines the parties involved and the specific conflict being referenced. It's effective in formal writing and historical accounts.

Common error

Avoid using "outbreak of hostilities" for minor disputes or disagreements. The phrase implies a significant escalation to armed conflict or warfare, not simple arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outbreak of hostilities" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the sudden commencement of armed conflict or war. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is well-established in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outbreak of hostilities" is a common and correct noun phrase used to describe the sudden commencement of armed conflict or war. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It appears most frequently in news media, academic texts, and encyclopedias, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While widely used, it is important to reserve this phrase for significant escalations to armed conflict, avoiding its use for minor disputes. Related phrases include ""commencement of conflict"" and ""start of armed conflict"", providing alternative ways to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commencement of conflict

Replaces "outbreak" with "commencement", focusing on the start of conflict.

start of armed conflict

Specifies the conflict as "armed", clarifying the nature of hostilities.

eruption of conflict

Uses "eruption" to emphasize the sudden and forceful beginning of conflict.

initiation of warfare

Replaces "hostilities" with the more formal "warfare".

beginning of armed aggression

Highlights the aggressive nature of the conflict's commencement.

sudden onset of war

Emphasizes the abruptness of the war's beginning.

escalation to armed conflict

Focuses on the escalation process leading to armed conflict.

breaking out of war

More informal way to describe a sudden start of a war.

resumption of fighting

Indicates that the conflict has started again after a pause.

flare-up of fighting

Similar to resumption of fighting but suggest also a limited in time event.

FAQs

How can I use "outbreak of hostilities" in a sentence?

You can use "outbreak of hostilities" to describe the start of a war or armed conflict. For example, "The "outbreak of hostilities" in 1939 marked the beginning of World War II."

What is an alternative to saying "outbreak of hostilities"?

Alternatives include "commencement of conflict", "start of armed conflict", or "eruption of conflict" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "outbreak of hostilities" formal or informal?

"Outbreak of hostilities" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, journalistic, or official contexts. More informal terms exist to describe the start of a fight or war.

What's the difference between "outbreak of hostilities" and "outbreak of violence"?

"Outbreak of hostilities" specifically refers to the start of armed conflict or war between organized groups or nations. "Outbreak of violence" is a broader term that can refer to any sudden eruption of violent acts, not necessarily involving organized military forces.