outbreak of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outbreak of war" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of a war or conflict. For example, "The outbreak of war between two countries was a tragedy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the outbreak of war, Indian regiments were immediately mobilised.

The Guardian

But are we really talking about the outbreak of war?

The Guardian - Opinion

It took the outbreak of war to call a truce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Marceau Narcy, an Alcyon rider who died almost at the outbreak of war in September 1914.

The Guardian - Sport

He enlisted within days of the outbreak of war because he "dreaded" going up to Oxford.

The Guardian - Books

Following the outbreak of war, Shar land became a Red Cross nurse in Colchester, Essex.

The Guardian

Such questions were shattered by the outbreak of war in 1939.

The Guardian - Arts

At the outbreak of war he was taken on by the radical Daily News.

The Guardian

Long before the outbreak of war, the English reading public had become gripped by invasion fever.

The Guardian - Books

Her parents were rescued a few days before the outbreak of war.

The Guardian

At the time, this moment of mortification received scant attention; the outbreak of war was imminent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events, use "outbreak of war" to clearly indicate the moment when peaceful relations ceased and active conflict began. This helps to set the context for subsequent events.

Common error

Avoid using "outbreak of war" when describing a gradual increase in tensions. "Outbreak" implies a sudden start, whereas "escalation" suggests a process. For the latter, use phrases like "escalation to war" or "rising tensions" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outbreak of war" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig examples show its common use in historical and news contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outbreak of war" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the beginning of armed conflict. As Ludwig's AI points out, it’s widely accepted in written English. It's frequently found in news reports, historical accounts, and encyclopedic entries. When writing about conflict, it is important to use this phrase to clearly indicate the commencement of hostilities. Be mindful not to confuse it with phrases describing gradual escalations. While the phrase has a generally neutral register, its specific connotation can be influenced by the surrounding context. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples illustrating its versatility and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start of the war

Focuses on the beginning of the war, a direct and simple alternative.

beginning of hostilities

Emphasizes the commencement of active conflict.

onset of war

Similar to outbreak, but can also refer to a gradual beginning.

commencement of war

A more formal way of saying the start of a war.

eruption of war

Suggests a sudden and violent start.

initiation of war

Highlights the act of starting a war.

breaking out of war

Expresses sudden start of war

dawn of war

A more metaphorical way of describing the beginning of a war.

initiation of armed conflict

Emphasizes the initiation of conflict, focusing on the military aspect.

escalation to war

Highlights the process of increasing tensions that lead to war.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "outbreak of war" in a sentence?

You can use "outbreak of war" to describe the beginning of a conflict, such as: "The "outbreak of war" in 1914 changed Europe forever."

What are some alternatives to saying "outbreak of war"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "start of the war", "onset of war", or "beginning of hostilities".

Is it correct to say "the outbreak to war" instead of "outbreak of war"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""outbreak of war"". The preposition "of" is necessary to correctly link the noun "outbreak" with "war".

What is the difference between "outbreak of war" and "escalation to war"?

"Outbreak of war" refers to the sudden start of a conflict, while "escalation to war" describes a gradual increase in tensions and hostile actions that eventually lead to war.