start an attack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start an attack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to military, gaming, or competitive scenarios where an offensive action is initiated. Example: "The commander decided to start an attack at dawn to catch the enemy off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It did not take long for Kotainy to take advantage and start an attack.

The New York Times

Sadorra seized the opportunity to start an attack with 21 f5.

The New York Times

You could look up, start an attack, pass it around, whereas in England someone is on you all the time".

The Guardian - Sport

— DUNCAN IRVING Gomez hangs on to the last defender to start an attack, and gets walloped in the face from Heitenga, who looks like he's had enough.

The New York Times

Nakamura may have grown frustrated by White's patience, which may explain why he played 14... g5, an attempt to start an attack and create an unbalanced position.

The New York Times

"We didn't have enough pace in our side, we couldn't get up with the centre-forward and symptomatically we couldn't play out from the back or start an attack.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

There was no hurry to play 14... Nh7?! Shulman's 16 f4! started an attack hard to defend against.

The New York Times

One-handed offload for the first try was excellent; his turnover started an attack that led to Giteau's trip to the bin and a key three points.

Independent

"I don't think it's Al Qaeda," said Patricia Muñoz, 24, who stood outside the clothing store where she works, smoking a cigarette, before starting an attack on ETA.

The New York Times

Cassetti hoofed the ball clear with no real intention of starting an attack, more to just get the thing as far away from the Watford goal as possible.

The Guardian - Sport

Tell the world "The military option is off the table", except in the unlikely event that Iran itself starts an attack on Israel or the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about conflicts or competitive scenarios, use "start an attack" to clearly indicate the beginning of an offensive action. Ensure the context supports the direct and assertive nature of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "start an attack" in passive or indirect scenarios where the initiator is unclear or the action is not directly aggressive. For instance, prefer phrases like "contribute to conflict" or "escalate tensions" when describing less direct initiations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start an attack" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an offensive action. It typically involves an agent initiating aggressive behavior, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "start an attack" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that clearly indicates the beginning of an offensive action. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "launch an offensive" or "begin an assault" exist, "start an attack" is more direct and can be used in various contexts. Ensure you use it in contexts where directness and assertiveness are appropriate, avoiding passive or indirect scenarios. The phrase is generally neutral in register, suitable for professional and formal communication. Overall, this phrase is a straightforward way to convey the initiation of conflict or aggression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an offensive

This phrase emphasizes the beginning of a planned military operation.

initiate hostilities

This phrase formally indicates the commencement of war or conflict.

commence aggression

This phrase suggests the beginning of aggressive behavior or actions.

begin an assault

This option focuses on the immediate start of a physical or verbal attack.

trigger a raid

This phrase implies initiating a sudden, surprise attack.

set in motion an assault

This alternative highlights the action of setting up the conditions for aggression.

open fire

This option specifically indicates initiating an attack using firearms.

mount an offensive

This phrase conveys the preparation and execution of a planned attack.

unleash an offensive

This alternative implies a forceful and uncontrolled start to an attack.

instigate an assault

This phrase suggests provoking or starting an aggressive encounter.

FAQs

How can I use "start an attack" in a sentence?

You can use "start an attack" to describe the beginning of an offensive action, as in, "The general ordered his troops to "start an attack" at dawn".

What are some alternatives to "start an attack"?

Alternatives include "launch an offensive", "initiate hostilities", or "begin an assault", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "begin to attack" instead of "start an attack"?

While "begin to attack" is grammatically correct, "start an attack" is more direct and emphasizes the initiation of the offensive action. Consider the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "launch an attack" and "start an attack"?

"Launch an attack" implies a more planned and organized offensive, whereas "start an attack" can refer to a more spontaneous or immediate action. The choice depends on the context and the level of planning involved.