cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The word cases is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual instance or instance which could constitute a reference for a decision or action. Example: After consulting the various cases, the judge had enough evidence to render a fair verdict.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Our modern cases had their roots in tribal Germanic).

The Economist

As he knows, the nominative and accusative cases are the reason that we don't say gibberish like "Her gave it to he and then sat by we here!" No idea is more basic to English syntax and grammar.

The Economist

Human Rights Watch has documented 75 cases of torture in security force custody since the end of the war, including the rape of men and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

In many cases, it'll balance the bets it makes on both sides of the trade, so that it's exposed to no risk and it collects the certain profit from the spread.

The Economist

Related: Ebola crisis – the Guardian briefing The rapidly dropping number of cases will make it a considerable challenge to trial vaccines against Ebola.

The Guardian

More than 22,000 Ebola cases have been reported since the start of the epidemic.

The Guardian

Fewer than 100 cases of Ebola have been reported in west Africa in the last week, according to the World Health Organisation, which says the outbreak has now effectively moved into the endgame.

The Guardian

The Sierra Leone ministry of health refused to share data in the early outbreak and instructed the WHO to report only lab-confirmed deaths, thereby excluding the "probable" and "suspect" cases that could not be tested because of the lack of testing facilities.

The Guardian

"We have obviously had now 11 suspected cases [of Ebola], all of which have been negative after testing," he said.

The Guardian

Although this guidance is about diagnosis, Nice states that, in many cases, asthma control is already inadequate, which could be life-threatening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The treatment of children in church-run residential homes is a key concern of the investigation, which is chaired by the retired judge Sir Anthony Hart and is considering cases between 1922 – when Northern Ireland was founded – and 1995.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal contexts, specify the type of "cases" (e.g., civil "cases", criminal "cases") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cases" without providing sufficient context. Be specific about the nature of the "cases" you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The word "cases" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances, situations, or legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cases" functions as a plural noun widely used across various contexts to refer to instances, situations, or legal matters. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. The analysis reveals that it is most frequently found in News & Media, followed by Formal & Business and Science. The best practice is to specify the type of "cases" to enhance clarity, while avoiding overgeneralization. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective use of "cases" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instances

Refers to specific occurrences or examples, similar to "cases" but may emphasize individual events.

court cases

Highlights the legal aspect, specifying that the "cases" are related to the court system.

situations

Highlights the circumstances or conditions surrounding an event, providing a broader context than "cases".

circumstances

Focuses on the details and conditions that affect a situation, often used when describing the specifics of an event.

examples

Emphasizes the role of "cases" as representative illustrations or instances of a broader concept.

occurrences

Highlights the fact that something happened, similar to "cases" but focusing on the event itself.

events

Focuses on significant happenings or incidents, often used when describing a series of related actions.

incidents

Implies a specific event, often with negative connotations or implications.

legal proceedings

Specifically refers to formal legal actions or court matters, emphasizing the judicial aspect of "cases".

matters

Offers a more general term to refer to different affairs or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "cases" in a sentence?

You can use "cases" to refer to specific instances or examples, such as "There have been several reported "cases of" fraud" or "The doctor reviewed many "medical cases"".

What's a good alternative to the word "cases"?

Depending on the context, suitable alternatives include "instances", "situations", or "examples".

When should I use "cases" instead of "incidents"?

"Cases" is more general and can refer to a variety of situations, whereas "incidents" often implies something specific and potentially negative. For example, "The study analyzed 50 "cases" of successful interventions" versus "There were several "reported incidents" of misbehavior".

What is the difference between "cases" and "matters"?

"Cases" often refer to specific instances or legal situations, while "matters" is a broader term encompassing general issues or subjects. You might discuss "several legal "cases"" but address "important "business matters"".