shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'shot' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun, verb, or adverb. As a noun, it means a single act of firing a gun or an attempt at doing something. Examples: He fired off a shot. She took a shot at the exam but she failed. As a verb, it means to fire a gun or attempt to do something. Examples: He shot at the target. She shot for a promotion but was not successful. As an adverb, it means quickly or suddenly. Examples: She shot out of the room. He shot across the finish line.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

As she left, the SNP leader said the decision was up to the people of Scotland, then joked with photographers as they begged for one more shot of her alone.

The Guardian

"Yeah, get out my shot!" she told her husband, as he retreated to the side.

The Guardian

Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot.

The New York Times

They would hang a DSLR out of the window on a long exposure to get a night shot of the impact and the smoke cloud – when all the naked eye could see was black.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he'd got bored – he couldn't imagine lining up another over-the-shoulder shot.

The Guardian - Film

Maguire, on loan from Aberdeen, put Jimmy Calderwood's side ahead from close range in the 32nd minute after Paul Gallacher spilled a tame shot from Craig Bryson.

The Guardian - Sport

He asked Belmondo and Seberg to come for a quick walk down a quieter stretch of the avenue away from the crowds, getting his famous shot of them ambling along chatting.

The Guardian - Arts

Open Mon-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 10am-2am The birthplace of the "Citywide Special" – an ice-cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jim Beam, now available almost anywhere in town – Bob and Barbara's is ground zero for this local "happy meal".

The Guardian - Travel

He took a drop and then knocked his next shot over the creek and right into the pin.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Many of her best pictures involved a single exposure and she once remarked: "I was always a one-shot photographer … where I'm good is that I am very quick".

The Guardian - Arts

For the beautifully-shot Anton Corbijn-directed video (there's also an interactive experience available if you're interested), the band don some giant papier mache heads and indulge in some slightly hard to follow crime caper that involves a man dressed entirely in a suit made of broken mirrors.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shot" in a sporting context, be specific about the type of shot (e.g., jump shot, free throw) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "shot" when you mean "shoot" (the action of firing). "Shot" is the result or instance of shooting, or an attempt. "Shoot" is the verb itself. I.e.: Wrong: "He shot the ball.". Correct: "He took the shot".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shot" is as a noun, referring to an act of shooting, an attempt, or a dose of medicine. Ludwig AI confirms its multifaceted usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

24%

Film

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "shot" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, primarily functioning as a noun to describe actions, attempts, or portions. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and varied usage across contexts like news, sports, and film. While generally neutral, context dictates its specific connotation. Be mindful of differentiating "shot" (the result or instance) from "shoot" (the action). Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt

Focuses on the effort or try made, rather than the specific action of shooting.

try

Similar to "attempt", emphasizing the act of trying something.

effort

Highlights the exertion of energy towards a goal.

endeavor

Implies a more serious or sustained attempt.

opportunity

Emphasizes the chance to do something.

chance

Similar to "opportunity", suggesting a possibility for action.

injection

Specifically refers to a medical shot.

vaccination

Similar to "injection" focusing on immunization.

scene

When referring to film can replace "shot" meaning unbroken sequence of frames

photograph

Emphasizes the captured image, particularly in photography.

FAQs

How to use "shot" in a sentence?

The word "shot" can be used in various contexts. For example, "He fired a shot at the target" or "She took a shot at winning the game".

What can I say instead of "shot" when referring to an attempt?

You can use alternatives like "attempt", "try", or "effort" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take a shot" or "make a shot"?

"Take a shot" is the more common and idiomatic expression when referring to attempting something. "Make a shot" is generally used when referring to successfully executing a shot, particularly in sports.

What's the difference between "shot" and "scene" in filmmaking?

In filmmaking, a "shot" refers to a single unbroken sequence of frames, while a "scene" is a series of shots that form a distinct narrative unit. So, a "scene" is composed of multiple "shots".