ambulance

USAGE SUMMARY

'ambulance' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a vehicle that is used to transport people who are injured or sick to a hospital, rescue people from dangerous situations, etc. Example sentence: An ambulance arrived at the scene shortly after the accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

This will be followed by a four-day work-to-rule across the NHS and a ban on overtime in the ambulance service.

The Guardian

Trevor Dale, one of the ambulance officers, said there was good colour in Adam's face and he responded well to having air pumped into his lungs, and Dale believed they had a chance of saving him.

The Guardian

As she was carried into the ambulance she gave me a little wave to calm my distress as if to say: "Don't worry I'll be OK".

The Guardian

And there were concerns about the NAO "ambulance chasing".

The Guardian

Add to that the shock and horror of nurses and doctors and ambulance teams arriving in spacesuits to treat people or remove them from their homes and you have a story that cannot be overplayed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another Twitter user posted a video appearing to show a third air ambulance arriving at the amusement park.

The Guardian - Travel

Lawyers for the relatives told the inquest that they had identified 33 areas where changes should be made to improve the police, fire brigade and ambulance response and to protect the public.

The Guardian

Everywhere soldiers and volunteers work in the dust, in silence broken only by crane motors and the wall of ambulance sirens.

The Guardian

A message posted on the page read: "It is testament to the character of Isa and the beauty of the people who know him that the money for the initially planned ambulance (£7,000) was raised in less than 14 hours.

The Guardian

About 10 police officers were at the scene, with a police van and ambulance on standby.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emergency situations, use "ambulance" to clearly convey the presence of medical support and transportation. Ensure that context aligns with the vehicle's function of providing immediate medical assistance and transport.

Common error

Do not use "ambulance" loosely to refer to any vehicle providing assistance. Reserve the term for vehicles specifically equipped for medical emergencies and patient transport.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ambulance" is as a noun. It refers to a vehicle designed for transporting sick or injured people to a hospital or medical facility. Ludwig AI confirms this through its numerous examples of "ambulance" used as a noun in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ambulance" is a commonly used noun referring to a vehicle designed for emergency medical transport. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in the context of News & Media. When using the term, ensure it accurately describes a vehicle equipped for medical assistance and patient transport. Avoid using it loosely for any assistance vehicle. Alternative phrases, such as "emergency medical vehicle" or "medical transport unit", can provide nuanced descriptions while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emergency medical vehicle

Replaces the common term with a more formal and descriptive alternative.

emergency response vehicle

Highlights the immediate response function of the vehicle.

medical transport unit

Focuses on the transportation aspect of the vehicle.

trauma response vehicle

Highlights the vehicle's role in responding to traumatic injuries.

mobile intensive care unit

Emphasizes the advanced medical capabilities of the vehicle.

first responder vehicle

Highlights the role of the vehicle as part of the initial response team.

emergency transport

Focuses on the action of transporting during an emergency.

rescue vehicle

Broadens the scope to include rescue operations.

911 vehicle

Refers to the emergency number associated with the service, common in North America.

medic unit

Short, informal term focusing on the medical personnel.

FAQs

How is an "ambulance" typically used in a sentence?

An "ambulance" is used to describe a vehicle equipped for transporting sick or injured people to a hospital. For example, "The "ambulance" arrived quickly at the scene of the accident".

What are some alternatives to calling for an "ambulance"?

Depending on the context, you might consider saying "calling emergency medical services", requesting a "medical transport unit", or contacting "first responders".

Is it correct to say 'an "ambulance" was called' or 'an "ambulance" is called'?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use 'was called' for a past event (e.g., 'An "ambulance" was called to the scene'). Use 'is called' when describing a general procedure (e.g., 'An "ambulance" is called in emergencies').

What's the difference between a 'private "ambulance"' and a standard "ambulance"?

A standard "ambulance" is usually part of a public emergency service, while a 'private "ambulance"' is operated by a private company. Private "ambulance" services may be used for non-emergency transport or specific medical needs.