a live victim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a live victim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing crime, rescue operations, or situations involving individuals who are still alive and in danger. Example: "The police were able to locate a live victim trapped in the wreckage after the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From a live victim.

The New York Times - Arts

The fact that this legend is deeply rooted in reality (Haitian zombie powder was discovered to contain a powerful neuro-toxin that caused a live victim to behave like a resurrected corpse) may explain why, when African slaves were brought to the Americas, European colonists also embraced the notion of the living dead.

The Guardian - Film

And it's not like real murder, where there is a live victim, whose death would be felt immediately, whose relatives would file a missing person's report, whose employers would be alarmed when she or he didn't show up for work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Every such decision creates a living victim of racial discrimination, denied a benefit based solely upon skin color.

The New York Times

Marash is a living victim of blood feud – revenge killing sanctioned in medieval practices that have re-emerged in northern Albania since the fall of the Communist regime in 1991.

Unicef

A killer stalks North Carolina teens who disposed of an auto accident's live victim.

Los Angeles Times

A live rape victim is examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Huffington Post

Because her subject is intimacy, often but not necessarily sexual, because she has a gift for inventing details that feel authentic, as if excised from an unwitting, living victim, Mary Gaitskill commands her readers' attention as few fiction writers can.

The New York Times - Books

For the police, he was something unique - a living murder victim - a man who was going to die but had time to talk to them.

BBC

"We have a realistic expectation that there are live victims in there," he said.

The New York Times

Alison Millar, of the law firm Leigh Day, told BBC Radio 5 Live victims would have to provide credible evidence of their abuse to be successful in a claim.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a live victim" to differentiate from deceased victims, providing clarity in reports and communications.

Common error

Avoid using "living victim" when "a live victim" is intended. While "living victim" is grammatically correct, it often implies the victim is currently experiencing a state of victimhood, rather than being in immediate danger or requiring rescue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a live victim" functions as a noun phrase identifying an individual who has suffered harm or injury and is still alive. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It typically serves to specify the state of the victim, emphasizing their need for immediate aid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a live victim" is a grammatically sound and professionally acceptable term used to denote an individual who has been harmed or injured but remains alive, particularly in situations requiring urgent assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly found in news reports, formal business documents, and scientific literature to convey the immediate need for action. While alternatives like ""a surviving victim"" or ""an injured survivor"" exist, the key is to ensure context-appropriate usage. Remember to avoid the similar "living victim" unless you intend to describe someone's ongoing state of victimhood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surviving victim

Replaces 'live' with 'surviving', focusing on the act of enduring.

an injured survivor

Shifts focus to the state of being injured and surviving.

a living casualty

Substitutes 'victim' with 'casualty', implying harm or loss.

a rescued person

Highlights the act of rescue, implying imminent danger.

an imperiled individual

Uses more formal language to denote someone in danger.

a threatened life

Focuses on the life being under threat or in danger.

a person at risk

General term for someone in a vulnerable position.

an endangered person

Emphasizes the high risk of harm or death.

a distressed individual

Highlights the person's state of suffering or peril.

a person in peril

Focuses on the severe danger someone is facing.

FAQs

What does "a live victim" mean?

The phrase "a live victim" refers to someone who has been harmed or injured but is still alive, particularly in the context of an accident, crime, or disaster. It emphasizes that the person requires immediate assistance.

What can I say instead of "a live victim"?

You can use alternatives like "a surviving victim", "an injured survivor", or "a rescued person" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "live victim" or "living victim"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "a live victim" typically refers to someone in immediate danger requiring rescue, while "a living victim" often describes someone who is experiencing the ongoing effects of being victimized.

How is "a live victim" different from "a deceased victim"?

"A live victim" is someone who is still alive after an incident, whereas "a deceased victim" refers to someone who has died as a result of the incident. The distinction is crucial for rescue and reporting purposes.