start of hostilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start of hostilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the beginning of conflict or aggressive actions, often in a military or diplomatic context. Example: "The start of hostilities between the two nations was marked by a series of border skirmishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The War Powers Act requires Congressional approval within 90 days of the start of hostilities with a foreign country.

The New York Times

But his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, said the president's speech would not mark the start of hostilities.

The Guardian

The start of hostilities can be dated to the Falklands War of 1982, when influential Conservatives accused the BBC of being deficient in patriotism.

Independent

The main index has shot up by 26percentt since the start of hostilities in neighboring Iraq, and has nearly doubled since October.

The New York Times

News of the signing, on August 25, of a formal treaty of mutual assistance between Great Britain and Poland (to supersede a previous though temporary agreement) caused him to postpone the start of hostilities for a few days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the five trading days after the start of hostilities, markets at first rose on hopes of an early victory for the coalition, and then fell when stiff resistance emerged in some Iraqi cities.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"At least 80,000 have perished since the start of the hostilities, with most of these casualties believed to be civilians," he said.

The New York Times

However, after the phoney war, last night marked the start of formal hostilities between the BBC and the government over the corporation's future scope and funding.

The Guardian

Mr Hague said that while Hamas was principally responsible for the start of recent hostilities between Gaza and Israel, he urged President Benjamin Netanyahu's government to be restrained in its response.

Independent

In these cases cyberattacks were launched by all belligerents before the actual armed conflicts began, and cyberattacks continued long after the shooting stopped, yet it cannot be claimed that the cyberattacks launched before the start of actual hostilities caused the conflicts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While Lake's actions had been effective in Dublin, rebel leaders successfully orchestrated the simultaneous start of widespread hostilities on 23 May.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events, use the phrase "start of hostilities" to maintain a neutral and objective tone. Avoid emotionally charged language that might introduce bias.

Common error

While "start of hostilities" is appropriate for military or political conflicts, avoid using it loosely in everyday disagreements or competitive scenarios. Choose more fitting terms like "beginning", "outset", or "start" for non-military contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start of hostilities" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it denotes the commencement of conflict or warfare. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start of hostilities" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, primarily used to denote the beginning of armed conflicts. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register, suitable for factual reporting and historical analysis. While it's appropriate for military and political contexts, it should be avoided in everyday disagreements, where simpler terms would be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outbreak of war

Focuses on the sudden and often violent beginning of a war.

commencement of conflict

A more formal way of indicating the beginning of a conflict, often used in official statements.

beginning of armed conflict

Emphasizes the armed nature of the conflict.

initiation of war

Highlights the act of initiating or starting a war.

dawn of war

A more literary or metaphorical way to describe the beginning of a war.

onset of war

Focuses on the arrival and beginning of a war.

eruption of conflict

Implies a sudden and forceful start of conflict.

opening of battles

Highlights the initial stages of battles within a larger conflict.

triggering of war

Emphasizes the event that sets off the war.

launching of attacks

Focuses on the initial aggressive actions that mark the start of conflict.

FAQs

What does "start of hostilities" mean?

The "start of hostilities" refers to the beginning of armed conflict or warfare between opposing groups or nations.

What is a more formal alternative to "start of hostilities"?

A more formal alternative is "commencement of hostilities", which is often used in official or legal contexts.

How does "start of hostilities" differ from "outbreak of war"?

"Start of hostilities" is a more general term, while "outbreak of war" often implies a sudden and intense escalation of conflict.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "start of hostilities"?

Use "start of hostilities" when discussing military actions, international conflicts, or any situation where armed conflict begins.