What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
assaults
Example
He was arrested for assaulting a police officer. [assaulting: present participle]
Example
The victim suffered severe injuries from the assault. [assault: noun]
battery
Example
The suspect was charged with battery after punching the victim. [battery: noun]
Example
She accused her ex-partner of battering her during their relationship. [battering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Assault and battery are commonly used in legal and law enforcement contexts. However, assault is a broader term that can also be used in non-legal contexts to describe acts of aggression or violence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between assaults and battery?
Both assault and battery are formal terms used in legal and official settings. They are not typically used in casual or informal conversations.
