conquering land

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The act of taking control of territory by force, especially in war or invasion.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase; the -ing form makes it an activity, not a place.

   Patterns

   • the conquering of land
   • conquering land from someone

   The empire grew rich through conquering land in three continents.

   Conquering land is one thing; holding it is another.

   Their strategy of conquering land depended on fast cavalry.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Land that has been taken over by a foreign power.

   Grammar: Here the phrase describes the land itself; the -ing form is adjectival.

   Patterns

   • conquering land
   • the conquering land

   The conquering land was divided among the generals.

   Taxes from the conquering land financed the new capital.

Common combinations

conquering land by force

They expanded the empire by conquering land by force.

dream of conquering land

The young king dreamed of conquering land beyond the mountains.

method of conquering land

Siege warfare was their main method of conquering land.

conquering land overseas

Conquering land overseas brought both wealth and trouble.

Synonyms and how they differ

invasion

Invasion stresses the entry of an army into a place; conquering land stresses the result of taking permanent control.

annexation

Annexation is more formal and often political; it can happen without heavy fighting.

occupation

Occupation means holding a place temporarily; conquering land suggests a lasting takeover.

Opposites

Word family

conquer verb

To take control of a place or people by force.

conqueror noun

A person who conquers.

conquest noun

The act or process of conquering.

Commonly confused: conquering land or conquered land?

Practice

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