start attacking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start attacking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is initiating an aggressive action or strategy, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The team decided to start attacking the problem from multiple angles to find a solution quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Obviously, what people in that scenario do is start attacking..

The New Yorker

"They were afraid the people would start attacking them".

The New York Times

Murray needs to start attacking, otherwise this could get ugly.

The Guardian - Sport

You can't "start attacking" someone that old, he said.

The New York Times

"Obviously, what people in that scenario do is start attacking...

The New Yorker

"Should we wait until they start attacking Christians?

The Guardian

Her normally courteous rival, Senator Barack Obama, has promised to start attacking her.

The Economist

"It's this problem because it's not even clear where you would start attacking it.

The Guardian - Tech

This happens when there's a perceived austerity: you start attacking various groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

GVHD is caused when immune cells from a donor start attacking the normal tissues of a recipient.

Stanford University

She told me that once you start to gain steam, they are going to start attacking you and once they start attacking you, they will never stop even after you win.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategic actions, consider using "start attacking" to clearly convey the beginning of an offensive approach, whether in business, sports, or conflict scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "start attacking" when a more nuanced verb like "address", "tackle", or "confront" would better reflect the actual intent or action. "Start attacking" implies a direct, aggressive approach, which may not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start attacking" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an aggressive action. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in both literal contexts (military offensives) and metaphorical contexts (problem-solving or competitive strategies).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start attacking" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that indicates the initiation of an aggressive action or strategy. According to Ludwig AI, it appears across various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and informal discussions, maintaining a generally neutral tone. While "start attacking" effectively conveys the commencement of a direct approach, it is important to consider the context and choose more nuanced verbs like "address", "tackle", or "confront" when a less aggressive approach is intended. Alternative phrases, such as "launch an attack" or "initiate an offensive", can provide a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

launch an attack

Focuses on the immediate action of "attack", suggesting a sudden and forceful initiation.

begin to assault

Replaces "start" with "begin" and "attacking" with "assault", emphasizing a more direct and forceful initiation of action.

take aggressive action

Highlights the aggressive nature of the action, suitable when the manner of attacking is less important than its intensity.

initiate an offensive

Similar to "commence an offensive" but slightly less formal, indicating the beginning of a strategic attack.

commence an offensive

Uses more formal vocabulary like "commence" and "offensive", suggesting a planned and strategic initiation of action.

begin an offensive strategy

Emphasizes the planned and strategic nature of the aggressive action.

initiate hostilities

Employs formal and somewhat euphemistic language to refer to the start of conflict or aggression.

move to engage

Suggests an active approach to confront a situation or opponent, implying a shift towards action.

spring into action

Highlights the sudden and energetic start of an action, often in response to a stimulus.

adopt an aggressive approach

Focuses on assuming a generally aggressive stance or method, not necessarily a specific attack.

FAQs

How can I use "start attacking" in a sentence?

You can use "start attacking" to describe the beginning of an offensive action, such as "The team decided to "start attacking" the problem with a new strategy" or "The army will "start attacking" at dawn".

What are some alternatives to "start attacking"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "launch an attack", "begin to assault", or "initiate an offensive" as alternatives to "start attacking".

When is it appropriate to use "start attacking" versus "begin addressing"?

"Start attacking" is best used when describing a direct, aggressive action, while "begin addressing" is more suitable when referring to the start of tackling a problem or issue in a less confrontational manner. The choice depends on the intended tone and the nature of the action being described.

Can "start attacking" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "start attacking" can be used metaphorically to describe the beginning of a determined effort to overcome a challenge or obstacle, as in "The company decided to "start attacking" the market with a new product line".