shoot him vs shoot at him

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Shoot him' is used when referring to shooting someone directly, while 'shoot at him' is used when indicating shooting in the direction of someone without necessarily hitting them.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1580 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to directly shooting someone.

"shoot him"

This phrase is used when talking about aiming a gun or weapon directly at someone with the intention of hitting them.

Examples:

He threatened to shoot him if he didn't comply.
The police officer had to shoot him in self-defense.

Show examples from the web [+]

Meaning that you were planning to shoot him before you sat down.
If you did not intend to shoot him...
The second he clears, you shoot him in the gut.
And their man... shoot him.
Any sign of trouble, I'll shoot him.
Anybody comes up behind us, shoot him.
Now give me money or I shoot him...
You just tried to shoot him yourself.
I'm almost too amazed to shoot him...
If he moves again, shoot him.
I couldn't shoot him and you know that.
Next time, shoot him in the face.
Maybe they have to shoot him in the head.
When you really hate someone, you should just shoot him.
I was about to take him out and shoot him.
Instead of shoot him, I make him ride point.
If he doesn't consent shoot him through the head.
The captain invites you to shoot him
You're the warrior, shoot him now.
So they ran out of fuses and had to shoot him.

Alternatives:

fire at him
aim at him
gun him down
take a shot at him
pull the trigger on him

This phrase is correct and commonly used when indicating shooting in the direction of someone without necessarily hitting them.

"shoot at him"

This phrase is used when talking about shooting in the direction of someone without the certainty of hitting the target.

Examples:

The soldiers decided to shoot at him to scare him away.
He heard the sound of bullets as they shot at him.

Show examples from the web [+]

Why would anyone here want to shoot at him? I don't know.
Chet, you have to shoot at him without hitting him.
I didn't know that they'd shoot at him.
Unless, of course, he thought that one day you might have cause to shoot at him.
But she did shoot at him? No, I shot at him!
I mean, if Barry can catch bullets, what's to say Zoom can't catch whatever you shoot at him?
He hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bow-string and the little hangman dare not shoot at him.
He says he's a good Apache, and he's peaceful... and for nobody to shoot at him.
At first the Germans didn 't shoot at him.
Your guy on the inside, tell him shoot at the fire alarm.
You could shoot him at 4:15.
They could shoot him at any moment.
Why would you shoot him at all? - He told me to.
If they're not going to give one to him, maybe they'll shoot one at him.
Who's going to shoot dirty looks at him for me?
A man shoots at me and mine, I shoot back and ask questions later.
I don't think anyone shoots better pool than I saw you shoot at Ames.
Someone comes into my home and shoot at me, I will shoot back.
Don't shoot at anything unless it shoots at you first.
It'll give you something else to shoot at.

Alternatives:

fire in his direction
take a shot in his direction
aim towards him
fire towards him
shoot in his direction

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shoot him vs shoot at him

"shoot him"

"shoot at him"

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