shooting recklessly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shooting recklessly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is firing a weapon without caution or care for safety, often in a dangerous or irresponsible manner. Example: "The police received reports of a group of individuals shooting recklessly in the park, endangering the lives of nearby families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Adams said the picnic was winding down when she saw a car drive onto the grassy area and "people started shooting recklessly". She said the occupants of the car looked like "outside people," not participants in the fraternity gathering.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Interior Ministry was criticized over the response to an attack on the American Embassy in September, accused of recklessly shooting and killing fellow Afghans.

The New York Times

He also faces additional charges of possessing illegal ammunition and looks likely to be indicted on the first day of his trial on two more charges for allegedly recklessly shooting guns in public.

Independent

Separately, an Israeli rights group accused the army today of recklessly shooting and firing tank shells into a civilian area, killing three Palestinian civilians in the course of repelling an attack on a Jewish settlement in Gaza.

The New York Times

And today's story by Noam Schieber in The New Republic underscores that Dodd was either recklessly shooting from the hip with that comment, or simply making things up.

HuffPost

Last year, Smith was charged in a shooting with "recklessly endangering safety" and witness intimidation.

Los Angeles Times

When they later tried to escape, he recklessly shot them (two survived) and stabbed one, a woman, to death.

The New York Times - Books

The Olympian and Paralympian will stand trial in March, with the new charges alleging he recklessly shot his gun in public in the weeks before Steenkamp's death.

Independent

He declined to give the exact details of the new charges, but South African reports say they relate to two alleged incidents where Pistorius recklessly shot a gun in public.

Independent

Oscar Pistorius has been indicted on two new gun-related charges, which are believed to allege that he recklessly shot his gun out of the open sunroof of a car last year and fired someone else's handgun at a restaurant weeks before he killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The Guardian - Sport

Fortunately his pilot son, Dylan Jessie Usherr), is on hand to carry on the Hiller family tradition of looking dashing while flying recklessly fast and shooting aliens.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an incident involving firearms, ensure that using the phrase "shooting recklessly" is appropriate by confirming the action involved a disregard for safety protocols and posed a risk to others. Use precise language to convey the specific nature of the recklessness.

Common error

Avoid extending the phrase "shooting recklessly" metaphorically to situations unrelated to firearms. Using it to describe, for instance, reckless spending diminishes the phrase's impact and may confuse readers. Choose more appropriate descriptors for non-firearm contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shooting recklessly" functions as a verbal phrase describing an action performed without due regard for safety. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. The example provided by Ludwig supports this function, detailing an instance where people started "shooting recklessly".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shooting recklessly" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe the act of discharging a firearm without regard for the safety of others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts to report on incidents involving irresponsible gun use. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates a disregard for safety protocols and potential harm. Avoid metaphorical extensions in non-firearm-related situations to maintain clarity and impact. Alternative phrases such as "firing indiscriminately" or "shooting carelessly" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shooting carelessly

This alternative highlights the lack of attention and caution while shooting.

reckless gunfire

This focuses on the action itself being reckless.

firing indiscriminately

This alternative focuses on the lack of target selection when shooting.

uncontrolled shooting

This alternative highlights the lack of control during the shooting.

firing without caution

This highlights the absence of careful consideration before shooting.

discharging a firearm negligently

This phrase emphasizes the legal aspect of negligence in handling a firearm.

haphazard shooting

This describes the shooting as disorganized and random.

irresponsible gun use

This emphasizes the lack of responsibility in handling a gun.

negligent discharge of a firearm

This phrase focuses on the accidental nature of the shooting due to negligence.

endangering others with gunfire

This alternative emphasizes the potential harm caused by the shooting.

FAQs

What does "shooting recklessly" mean?

The phrase "shooting recklessly" describes the act of firing a weapon without regard for the safety of others, often implying a disregard for potential consequences.

What are some synonyms for "shooting recklessly"?

You can use alternatives like "firing indiscriminately", "shooting carelessly", or "irresponsible gun use" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "shooting recklessly" a legal term?

While not always a precise legal term, "shooting recklessly" describes behavior that could lead to charges such as reckless endangerment or negligent discharge of a firearm, depending on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances.

How can I use "shooting recklessly" in a sentence?

Example: "The news reported that the suspect was seen "shooting recklessly" in a crowded area, causing widespread panic."