violent moment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "violent moment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific instance or period characterized by violence or aggression. Example: "The film reached a violent moment that left the audience in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Hagelin's hit on Alfredsson was not the most violent moment in a brutally physical, scrum-filled game.

The New York Times - Sports

Much as he does in "Harsh Times," he starts this new film in overdrive and keeps it there all the way to the exhausted, exhausting end, piling violent moment upon violent moment.

The New York Times

I wasn't interested in how realistic I could make the brains or the blood, I was interested in the events and the adrenaline and choices that led up to this one violent moment".

Independent

Gardner was involved in Monday night's final play, a dramatic and violent moment that sealed Detroit's 3-1 victory but left Tigers second baseman Carlos Guillen out of Tuesday's game and worried about his left knee.

The New York Times

In these sections, Ubisoft almost too cheekily aligns itself with the bad guys and justifies its inevitable 2015 Assassin's Creed, set during yet another violent moment in world history.

The New York Times - Arts

Even its most violent moment, when the opening tissue of music for string quartet (the soloist plus three orchestral players) is savaged by a tutti chord of C minor, is too knowing to be willful.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Many viewers had difficulty watching some of the film's more violent moments.

The New York Times

Repetition and muscle memory, the trainers hope, will help create instincts that guide a Marine through chaotic, violent moments.

The New York Times

Abraham and Isaac continues that exploration, re-imagining one of the most violent moments of the Old Testament as an interior drama of powerful intimacy; of, paradoxically, peace.

The Guardian - Music

It's one of two extremely violent moments in the film, both depicted with a merciful delicacy that only increases their impact.

The Guardian - Film

The stories are built around the storm itself, which intrudes into the lives of each character at odd or lovely or violent moments.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "violent moment" to describe a specific instance or period characterized by physical aggression or intense conflict. It can be effective in narratives, news reports, and analytical writing where you want to highlight a particular point of escalation or crisis.

Common error

Avoid using "violent moment" in situations where the intensity doesn't warrant such a strong description. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem overly sensationalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "violent moment" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific instance characterized by violence. As seen in Ludwig, it's often used to pinpoint a particular scene in a film, a play, or an event in history.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "violent moment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that pinpoints a specific instance of violence. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently used in News & Media contexts to emphasize severity and impact, maintaining a neutral register. When using the phrase, be mindful of the intensity of the situation and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "act of violence" or "aggressive incident" can be employed to convey similar meanings with slight variations in focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act of violence

Focuses on the action rather than the specific point in time.

aggressive incident

Highlights the aggressive nature of the event.

brutal episode

Emphasizes the brutality and intensity of the event.

outburst of violence

Focuses on the sudden and uncontrolled release of violence.

flash of aggression

Highlights the sudden and brief nature of the aggressive behavior.

heated confrontation

Emphasizes the intensity and conflict involved.

traumatic event

Focuses on the emotional and psychological impact of the violent occurrence.

intense clash

Highlights the forceful and confrontational aspect of the situation.

sudden attack

Focuses on the unexpected and abrupt nature of the assault.

fierce encounter

Emphasizes the intensity and aggressiveness of the meeting or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "violent moment" in a sentence?

You can use "violent moment" to describe a specific instance of aggression, as in, "The film's most "violent moment" involved a near-fatal physical blowup."

What are some alternatives to "violent moment"?

Alternatives include "act of violence", "aggressive incident", or "brutal episode", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the event.

Is "violent moment" too strong a phrase to use in some contexts?

Yes, it can be. Consider the intensity of the situation. If it's a minor disagreement or a verbal argument, a less intense phrase like "heated exchange" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "violent moment" and "violent act"?

"Violent moment" emphasizes the specific point in time when violence occurs, while "violent act" /s/violent+act focuses more on the action itself, regardless of its duration.