What difference does it make? They gotta learn sooner or later. We’re going to war with these people.
Question: I’m wondering if the word “war” can be used as a verb.
Thank you!!!
yeah English has the ability to noun any verb basically some sound better than others to war isn’t the most common but is definitely usable.
We need to solder these people (turn them into soldiers) solder (noun) into to solder (verb)
The solder rifled an enemy unit in the head (this could be to shoot or to hit with the gun itself context would tell the story)
I’m going to boat around on my yacht this afternoon. (to boat is the verb form of boat and it just means to ride around on a boat)
There was a guy on the streets Michael Jacksoning all over the place. (a person turned into a verb) (to dance/act like Michael Jackson)
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Wow, good to know these interesting examples, thank you, Hagowingchun.
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Yes, but in your example it is a noun. At least the way that i read it. If you go to war, then you are at war. When you are at war with someone, you are warring with them. Only that last instance is a verb (participle).
Edit: It seems practically any noun can be used as a verb, though it’s not always a good idea or accepted usage. For example, in this tongue-in-cheek admonition: “Don’t verb nouns!”
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You won’t see war used a verb in standard English. The typical construction is to “wage war” or “conduct warfare” against someone. In your example it is a noun, not an infinitive verb. It is object of the preposition in “going to […].” They are using in the same grammatical way as one would say “going to the store” or “going to the movies.”
Warring is more often seen as adjective that describes the condition of a person, place or thing: “The warring groups are negotiating a treaty.”
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Yes it can. Maybe it´s not the clearest English but you can say something like “this group has been warring on the other group” for example or “I will war on them”
Right. It exists but it’s kind of Olde English. Definitely nobody uses it in current usage.