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Abil Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Reprisal, avenge and revenge

1. The commander arrested the villager as a reprisal for taking part in a peaceful protest against his misdeeds.



2. The commander arrested the villager in reprisal for taking part in a peaceful protest against his misdeeds.



3. The commander arrested the villager to avenge his participation in a peaceful protest against his (commander’s) misdeeds.



4. The commander arrested the villager to take avenge for his participation in a peaceful protest against his (commander’s) misdeeds.

Are these four sentences grammatically correct? Is there any difference between "avenge", "revenge" and "reprisal"? Thanks
  

Top answer

Authorities do not usually perform 'reprisals' against civilians; against militants, they might. 'Avenge' is a personal, emotional action which is not usually performed by governments or their agents. 'Take avenge' is not English.

— Mister Micawber

  • Authorities do not usually perform 'reprisals' against civilians; against militants, they might.
  • 'Avenge' is a personal, emotional action which is not usually performed by governments or their agents.
  • 'Take avenge' is not English.
  • 'Take re venge' is again a personal action which like 'avenge' is inappropriate here.
  • I suggest ' retaliate '.
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2 Answers
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Authorities do not usually perform 'reprisals' against civilians; against militants, they might.

'Avenge' is a personal, emotional action which is not usually performed by governments or their agents.
'Take avenge' is not English. 'Take revenge' is again a personal action which like 'avenge' is inappropriate here.

I suggest 'retaliate'.
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Thanks MM for your invaluable remarks and the suggestion. I wonder why the word "retaliate" did not occur to me!
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