shelling of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shelling of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of bombarding a location with artillery or explosive shells, often in a military context. Example: "The shelling of the city caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

China-witnessing the shelling of Chinese junks.

The New Yorker

The shelling of U.S. property aroused and united the North.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The shelling of Baba Amr continued for almost a month.

The Guardian

They bombed Ja'ouneh Street [scene of shelling of last month].

The Guardian

And its recent shelling of a South Korean village underscored the tense relations between the countries.

The New York Times - Sports

This follows on the heels of the shelling of the city of Apamea in Syria.

The New York Times

In the attack, refugees reported indiscriminate shelling of their town, mass arrests and sniper fire.

The New York Times

And then they left, and the random shelling of Surmani and the area nearby had begun.

The New York Times

The talks were the first inter-Korean dialogue since the shelling of the island.

The New York Times

He replaced his defense minister after the shelling of the island to underline this tougher stance.

The New York Times

"You cannot have the shelling of Homs for six days without someone hitting back".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military conflicts or historical events, use the phrase "shelling of" to accurately describe the use of artillery fire against a specific location. It provides a clear and concise way to convey this type of attack.

Common error

Be specific about the target of the "shelling". Avoid vague statements; instead, clearly identify the location or area that was shelled to provide a more accurate and informative description of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shelling of" functions as a compound noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event where a location is bombarded with artillery shells. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shelling of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to describe the act of bombarding a place with artillery fire. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and usable phrase. Its primary contexts are News & Media and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives such as "bombardment of" or "attack on" exist, "shelling of" specifically denotes the use of artillery. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the target and avoiding ambiguity. With a high expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to convey information about military conflicts and their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bombardment of

Replaces "shelling" with a more general term for continuous attack, emphasizing the sustained nature of the assault.

bombing of

Substitutes "shelling" with "bombing", focusing on aerial attacks rather than artillery fire.

artillery fire on

Replaces the noun phrase with a verb phrase, specifying the type of weaponry used in the attack.

attack on

Uses a broader term, "attack", to describe the event, encompassing various forms of offensive action.

onslaught against

Emphasizes the intensity and force of the attack, suggesting a relentless assault.

barrage against

Highlights the continuous and concentrated nature of the explosive assault.

airstrike on

Specifies that the attack was carried out from the air, using aircraft.

assault on

Similar to "attack on" but suggests a more direct and forceful offensive.

laying siege to

Indicates a prolonged period of attack and encirclement, aimed at isolating the target.

bombardment with

Indicates a heavy attack using bombs or artillery.

FAQs

How can I use "shelling of" in a sentence?

The phrase "shelling of" typically precedes a location or target. For example, "The "shelling of the city" resulted in widespread damage" or "The "shelling of the village" displaced many residents".

What are some alternatives to "shelling of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "bombardment of", "attack on", or "artillery fire on". Each alternative may emphasize a slightly different aspect of the event.

Is "shelling of" formal or informal?

The phrase "shelling of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is most commonly found in news reports and historical accounts.

What's the difference between "shelling of" and "bombing of"?

"Shelling of" typically refers to attacks using artillery, while "bombing of" usually describes aerial attacks involving aircraft dropping bombs. The key difference lies in the method of delivery.