as an emergency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an emergency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation that requires immediate action or attention due to an urgent need. Example: "Please contact me as an emergency if you need assistance outside of regular hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would this count as an emergency?

The Washington Post

She's keeping 300 birr (£9.50) as an emergency fund.

The Guardian

What had begun as an emergency was settling into finality.

The New Yorker

As an emergency physician, I had to get to work.

The New York Times

I think this counts as an emergency, though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then Congress promptly reinstated them as an emergency measure.

The New York Times

What counts as an emergency now in Egypt?

The New Yorker

What else, by that standard, might count as an emergency?

The New Yorker

A dozen clerks working as an emergency crew found them.

The New Yorker

I've worked as an emergency medical dispatcher for 14 months.

The Guardian

She started her career as an emergency room physician.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an emergency", ensure the context clearly indicates the urgent and unexpected nature of the situation. For instance, specify the potential emergency to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as an emergency" for situations that are merely inconvenient or undesirable, rather than posing a genuine risk or immediate need. This dilution weakens the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an emergency" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the condition or manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms that phrase's correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as an emergency" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and is widely used across various reliable sources. Primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase, it serves to indicate that an action is taken due to an urgent and unexpected situation. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve its use for genuine emergencies to maintain its impact. Its prevalence in news and media sources reflects its common application in describing critical situations, while the proposed alternatives offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an emergency situation

Replaces "as an emergency" with a more explicit description of the situation.

in case of emergency

A common idiom expressing preparedness for urgent situations.

on an emergency basis

Focuses on the basis or the grounds of something is happening because of the urgency.

when an emergency arises

Highlights the condition that triggers the action.

for urgent situations

Shortened version highlighting the need of being in alert for urgent situations.

in critical circumstances

Focuses on the severity and criticality of the possible emergency situation.

as a contingency measure

Describes "as an emergency" as a backup plan or action taken if needed.

should an emergency occur

Formal version highlighting the hypotetical context of an emergency.

under emergency conditions

Indicates that actions are performed during an emergency.

when facing an urgent need

Emphasizes the immediate need or requirement that arises.

FAQs

How can I use "as an emergency" in a sentence?

Use "as an emergency" to describe actions taken due to an unexpected and urgent situation. For example, "The backup generator was activated "as an emergency" measure when the main power failed".

What are some alternatives to "as an emergency"?

Alternatives include "in case of emergency", "in an emergency situation", or "on an emergency basis". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "as an emergency" in formal writing?

Yes, "as an emergency" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing necessary actions during critical situations. However, ensure that the tone remains appropriate to the context.

What's the difference between "as an emergency" and "in an emergency"?

"As an emergency" describes the role or purpose something serves, whereas "in an emergency" describes a condition or situation. For instance, "Use this fund "as an emergency" fund" versus "In an emergency, call 911".