to combat

USAGE SUMMARY

"to combat" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to express the idea of opposing, struggling or fighting against something. For example, "The government has launched a new program to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How to combat a grinder?

The New York Times

The condition is easy to combat, though.

The New York Times

Museveni also implemented measures to combat AIDS.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now Żyliński should challenge Cameron to combat.

The Guardian

This tactic is extremely hard to combat.

The New Yorker

Prefer blue suede shoes to combat boots?

Independent

First, terrorism was more difficult to combat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

formed to combat SARS.

The New York Times

To combat ignorance, universal education.

The Guardian

To combat idleness, full employment.

The Guardian

To combat squalor, social housing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to combat" when you want to emphasize a proactive effort to fight against or overcome a specific problem or threat. For example, "The city implemented new policies to combat rising crime rates."

Common error

While "to combat" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to fight" or "to deal with" in informal settings for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to combat" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI shows it commonly introduces the objective of an action aimed at opposing or counteracting something harmful or undesirable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

31%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to combat" serves as an infinitive of purpose, effectively conveying the intention to actively oppose or counteract a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used in a wide array of contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's best to use simpler alternatives in informal settings to ensure your language resonates naturally with your audience. By understanding its nuances, you can confidently incorporate "to combat" into your writing, adding precision and impact to your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to fight

Replaces "combat" with the more direct term "fight", implying a more active confrontation.

to struggle against

Replaces "combat" with "struggle", suggesting a difficult or arduous effort.

as a means of battling

Substitutes "combat" with "battling", suggesting a prolonged or intense struggle.

intending to counteract

Substitutes "combat" with "counteract", focusing on negating the effects of something.

with the aim of countering

Replaces "combat" with "countering", focusing on neutralizing or opposing something.

for the purpose of tackling

Uses "tackling" instead of "combat", implying a more direct and hands-on approach to dealing with a problem.

in an effort to suppress

Employs "suppress" in place of "combat", highlighting the act of restraining or preventing something.

to wage war against

Replaces "combat" with "wage war", indicating a more forceful and aggressive opposition.

to mount a defense against

Focuses on the defensive aspect of "combat", highlighting the act of protecting against an attack.

in response to challenge

Uses the idea of challenge as an implicit call to action, but with a weaker verb compared to combat.

FAQs

How do I use "to combat" in a sentence?

Use "to combat" to indicate actions taken to actively fight against or counteract something harmful. For example, "The organization launched a campaign "to combat poverty"."

What are some alternatives to saying "to combat"?

You can use phrases like "to fight", "to counter", or "to tackle" as alternatives to "to combat", depending on the specific context.

Is "to combat" formal or informal?

"To combat" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, such as news reporting, academic writing, and professional communication. Simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal conversation.

What's the difference between "to combat" and "to fight"?

While both imply opposition, "to combat" often suggests a more strategic and sustained effort, whereas "to fight" can refer to a more immediate or direct confrontation.