body

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "body" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a physical body, a group of people, or the main part of a text or document. Example: "The body of the report contains all the necessary data and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Perhaps not everyone's priority is having a 'beach body' (by the way, what is that?), and making somebody feel guilty for not prioritising it by questioning their personal choices is a step too far.

The Guardian

While no gun was found on him, a handgun in a sock was discovered on grassland about four metres (14ft) from his body.

The Guardian

The sector's membership and lobbying body, the Federation of Black Housing Organisations (FBHO) was disbanded in 2008 and has since been replaced by a slimmed-down BMENational, sheltering under the wing of the NHF.

The Guardian

When sector leaders gather on Thursday at the annual conference of Skills for Care, the workforce development body for adult social care, the talk is likely to be about an even stiffer potential bill, however.

The Guardian

For all their moaning about Chinooks or body armour, they make the decisions on where to spend (and overspend) the money, sorting it out between themselves before going to elected ministers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"No single market should drive the growth and composition of a country's incoming postgraduate body," said Zainab Malik, director of research for British Council education intelligence.

The Guardian

The move was condemned by the UN's refugee body and described by a group of 53 legal scholars from 17 Australian universities as in violation of international law.

The Guardian

The idea being that it would receive the licence fee and could in time become a kind of public body funding public broadcasting (or possibly specific programmes) other than on the BBC.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grade got his way and the new body was named the "BBC Trust".

The Guardian - Opinion

Although a growing body of evidence, including interviews with Russian soldiers, indicates that Moscow has sent active-duty troops and equipment to support the pro-Russia rebels over the past year, the president, Vladimir Putin, continues to deny his forces' participation in the conflict.

The Guardian

If a body was taken into a den, or even if it lay in a ditch, the tag would be undetectable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "body" followed by descriptive adjectives to create a vivid image for the reader.

Common error

While "body" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "organism" or "structure" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "body" is as a noun, referring to a physical structure, a group of people, or the main part of something. Ludwig confirms its versatile usage, as seen in examples referring to physical forms, organizations, and textual content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "body" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, ranging from physical forms to organized groups. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. It's crucial to select the most precise term depending on the intended meaning, considering alternatives like "torso" for the trunk of a human or "collective entity" for an organization. While generally neutral in register, overuse in formal contexts should be avoided. As shown by examples from The Guardian and other authoritative sources, "body" is a frequently used term in news, lifestyle, and sports reporting. Overall, understanding these nuances enables effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dead body

Specifically refers to a deceased person's body.

physical structure

Emphasizes the arrangement of the body's parts.

physical form

Focuses on the external appearance or structure of the body.

torso

Specifically refers to the trunk of the human body.

human physique

Emphasizes the body's strength and muscularity.

corporeal being

Highlights the physical and tangible nature of the body.

main section

Refers to the primary part of something, analogous to the body in a document.

group of people

Denotes a collective entity, similar to a body of representatives.

collective entity

A formal term for a group acting as a single unit.

legislative assembly

Describes a body of lawmakers.

FAQs

How can I use "body" in a sentence?

You can use "body" to refer to a physical form, as in "The doctor examined the patient's body", or to a group of people, as in "The governing body made a decision".

What are some synonyms for "body" when referring to a corpse?

When referring to a corpse, you can use synonyms like "corpse", "remains", or "dead body".

When is it appropriate to use "body" to refer to a group of people?

It's appropriate when referring to an organized group with a specific purpose, such as a "governing body", "legislative body", or "ruling body".

What's the difference between "body" and "torso"?

"Body" refers to the entire physical structure, while "torso" specifically refers to the trunk of the human body, excluding the head and limbs.