cries of help

USAGE SUMMARY

'cries of help' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to describe a situation where an individual or group of people are asking for assistance, such as in a conflict or dangerous situation. For example: "Amid the chaos of the war-torn city, cries of help could be heard from all sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Marclay was regularly rattled by fake cries of "Help!" But Marclay has little need for luxury.

The New Yorker

They had been enjoying a barbecue on the beach outside Brisbane in January when they heard cries of "Help, shark!".

Independent

Rescuers warned that crowd noise was making it impossible for them to listen for cries of help.

The Guardian

The report details the experiences of girls caught up in a grim world of grooming, sexual abuse, trafficking and ignored cries of help.

Independent

In the meantime, cries of help from the kitchen began to be heard: students shouted, "Chef!" Chef!" from every corner of the room, as they peeled potatoes, broke eggs into simmering water, prepared an almond paste for trout, carved up a shoulder of veal, and so on.

The New Yorker

The album opens with swirling percussion, stabbing horns, and a passionate series of questions: "In time of war, who wins? / When you choose sides, how do you distinguish your friends?" The song goes on to mention blood, burials, and body bags before chucking the whole nasty business and appealing heavenward with repeated cries of "Help us, Lord".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The city teachers' union has been reduced to buying billboards with the plaintive and pathetic cry of "HELP" in block letters.

The New York Times

There was a single cry of "Help us!" on Friday from a man who watched the president's motorcade roll through a treeless lunar landscape, but hardly the wails of stunned desperation shouted from New Orleans rooftops.

The New York Times

I am convinced that much of the anger over U.S. policy is really a cry of help from people who know what they have to do -- to democratize, liberalize their economies -- and who know that they will be lost for another 50 years if they don't, but can't do it because these ideas are promoted by a power they feel is indifferent to their deepest hurt.

The New York Times

Instead of ignoring the cries for help of those afflicted with mental illness, let's provide more comprehensive tools to help our communities cope.

Huffington Post

The top three states (in terms of the number of cries for help) were Florida – a state notorious for its long lines and historical voting interference – Georgia, and Texas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cries of help" to vividly portray urgent situations where individuals or groups are desperately seeking assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "cries of help" in highly formal or technical documents. Opt for more neutral terms like "requests for assistance" or "urgent appeals" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cries of help" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the sound or act of people asking for assistance in urgent or desperate situations. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cries of help" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that vividly conveys urgent requests for assistance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage may require adjustment in more formal settings. While effective in portraying distress and prompting action, alternatives such as "calls for assistance" or "pleas for aid" can be more suitable for maintaining a neutral tone. Remember to avoid overusing it in technical documents and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Calls for assistance

Replaces "cries" with "calls", emphasizing the act of summoning help.

Pleas for aid

Uses "pleas" instead of "cries" and "aid" instead of "help", suggesting a more urgent request.

Distress signals

Focuses on the signals indicating a need for rescue.

SOS signals

Specifically refers to internationally recognized signals for distress.

Desperate appeals

Highlights the urgency and desperation in the requests.

Requests for intervention

Emphasizes the need for external involvement or action.

Yelps for rescue

Focuses on short, sharp cries specifically for rescue.

Outcries for support

Emphasizes strong public expressions for support.

Supplications for deliverance

Conveys a formal, religious or deeply felt plea for rescue.

Emergency calls

Highlights the urgent nature of the requests.

FAQs

How can I use "cries of help" in a sentence?

You can use "cries of help" to describe situations where people are urgently requesting assistance, such as "Amid the earthquake rubble, "cries of help" echoed through the night".

What are some alternatives to "cries of help"?

Alternatives include "calls for assistance", "pleas for aid", or "distress signals", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cries of help" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cries of help" can be too emotive for some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases like "requests for assistance".

What's the difference between "cries of help" and "shouts of help"?

"Cries of help" implies a more desperate or sustained call for assistance, while "shouts of help" suggests a louder, possibly more immediate, vocalization.