struck a wing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck a wing" is not a common expression in written English and may not be easily understood without context.
It could be used in a context related to aviation or metaphorically to describe an action that affects something delicate or fragile. Example: "As the bird took off, it accidentally struck a wing against the tree branch."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Something large struck a wing.

The New Yorker

It "most likely struck a wing," he said, but that impact was not registered by sensors on the wing, and no damage had been detected in any of the many inspections of the wing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The investigation board determined that the shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven were lost during re-entry on Feb. 1 because of undetected damage from debris striking a wing on liftoff.

The New York Times

While level above the ground and seconds from the crash, the wings knocked over five street lampposts and the right wing struck a portable generator, creating a smoke trail seconds before smashing into the Pentagon.

Wikipedia

Since then, he has struck a markedly more left-wing tone, and his speech Saturday repeatedly hit upon progressive themes.

Huffington Post

After turning onto the road, the Cessna struck a fence with its left wing.

Wikipedia

Thus during an average wing-stroke, solitary individuals struck a greater proportion of their stridulatory pegs on the plectrum.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In late July Dundas escaped with his life when night-flying – coming into land, his wing struck an artillery emplacement, but he landed without injury.

Wikipedia

As a result, a swan would be more likely to break their own wing if they struck an adult human's arm.

BBC

The AFP news agency quoted witnesses as saying that a fire had broken out after an Israeli strike in a wing of al-Quds hospital in south-west Gaza City, where hundreds more people took shelter early today from advancing Israeli tanks.

The Guardian

The reality, however, is that Clegg is not trying to strike a balance between two wings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing aviation incidents or accidents, use "struck a wing" to convey a sense of sudden impact. However, consider using more common synonyms like "hit a wing" for clarity in general writing.

Common error

Avoid using "struck a wing" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hit a wing" or "bumped a wing" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck a wing" functions primarily as a descriptive element within a narrative or factual context. It details an event where something comes into contact with the wing of an object, typically an aircraft. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is acceptable but not overly common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "struck a wing" is an acceptable but not particularly common way to describe an impact on an aircraft or bird's wing. As Ludwig AI indicates, while grammatically sound, simpler alternatives such as "hit a wing" might be preferred for clarity in general usage. The phrase tends to appear in news reports, technical descriptions, and aviation-related contexts. Its formality is neutral, leaning slightly towards the formal side. The source quality is high, with examples drawn from reputable news and media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as encyclopedic and scientific sources. When writing, consider the audience and context to determine whether "struck a wing" or a more straightforward alternative is most appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit a wing

Replaces "struck" with the more common synonym "hit", resulting in a more direct and less formal expression.

impacted a wing

Substitutes "struck" with "impacted", suggesting a more forceful collision or effect.

collided with a wing

Uses "collided with" to describe the action, emphasizing the accidental nature of the event.

made contact with a wing

Replaces "struck" with "made contact with", resulting in more generic and neutral phrasing.

brushed against a wing

Suggests a lighter, less forceful contact than "struck", implying a glancing blow.

glanced off a wing

Emphasizes that the contact was brief and at an angle, rather than a direct hit.

grazed a wing

Implies a very light and superficial contact, similar to "brushed against".

the wing was hit

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, putting emphasis on the wing instead of the agent that made the contact.

the wing sustained an impact

More formal and technical phrasing, suitable for scientific or engineering contexts.

a wing was damaged

Focuses on the result of the contact, rather than the action itself.

FAQs

What does "struck a wing" mean?

The phrase "struck a wing" typically refers to an object or force impacting the wing of an aircraft or bird. It usually implies a collision or forceful contact.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "struck a wing"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to describe a specific instance of impact, such as in accident reports, aviation analyses, or when detailing a physical interaction. A more common alternative would be "hit a wing".

Are there synonyms for "struck a wing" that might be more commonly used?

Yes, more common alternatives include phrases like "hit a wing", impacted the wing or collided with the wing. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "struck a wing" considered formal or informal language?

While not strictly formal, "struck a wing" leans towards a more neutral or slightly formal tone compared to very casual alternatives. In informal contexts "hit a wing" would be more suitable.