emergencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emergencies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to urgent situations that require immediate attention or action. Example: "In case of emergencies, please call the designated emergency services number."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its conclusions the committee recommended that DfID "should prioritise investment in local health infrastructure of developing countries in receipt of UK Aid so that there is a better capability to respond quickly to emerging public health emergencies".

The Guardian

The Ebola crisis has brutally exposed the "age-old failures" of the humanitarian aid system with the World Health Organisation and governments repeating the mistakes of past public health emergencies, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said.

The Guardian

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 gives Cabinet ministers sweeping powers in designated emergencies including quarantine areas, restricting travel, handing control of essential industries to the army.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Ebola epidemic in western Africa overwhelmed fragile health systems, killed thousands of people, and highlighted major inadequacies in our ability to respond to global public health emergencies," said Amy Gutmann, the commission chair.

The Guardian

We need to ensure people avoid becoming ill in the first place or that, when unwell, they have their conditions well managed to avoid medical emergencies and hospitalisations which put patients in danger and cost the NHS large amounts of money".

The Guardian

Related: End in sight for Ebola outbreak but 'lost decade' looms for west Africa | Arthur Neslen De le Vingne also blamed the change in direction of many of the world's charities for exacerbating the problem, adding that too often MSF is the first to respond to emergencies around the world.

The Guardian

"History teaches us that when these immediate emergencies are over, everybody disappears and the money dries up … Somehow we have to keep the pressure on".

The Guardian

The Dalny Vostok (Far East) sank at 6.29am local time on Thursday about 250km (155 miles) south of the city of Magadan, killing 56 of 132 crew members on board, Russia's emergencies ministry said.

The Guardian

"Many NGOs have taken the path of lobbying and advocacy, which is a good thing, but they have abandoned emergencies.

The Guardian

Call-offs happen because beds set aside for patients having elective – or planned – surgery are needed for other cases, often ones that have recently come in as emergencies.

The Guardian

If we play politics for a generation, then weeks like the one we've just come through will be normal, and all we'll be doing as a nation is responding to emergencies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "emergencies", specify the type (medical, natural, financial) to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid vague references to "emergencies" without explaining their nature or impact. Always provide sufficient context to ensure the reader understands the situation's urgency and implications.

Linguistic Context

The term "emergencies" functions primarily as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of urgent, unexpected, and often dangerous situations that require immediate action. Ludwig confirms that it is correctly used to denote situations demanding prompt response, like in healthcare or disaster management.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "emergencies" is a versatile and frequently used plural noun, denoting urgent situations that demand immediate action. As verified by Ludwig, it maintains grammatical correctness and finds application across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While phrases such as "urgent situations", "crisis situations", and "critical incidents" offer semantic alternatives, the importance lies in providing clear context when discussing "emergencies" to enhance understanding and avoid ambiguity. The high frequency and broad applicability of "emergencies" underscore its crucial role in effective communication, especially in scenarios where prompt action is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent situations

Focuses on the time-critical aspect of the events.

crisis situations

Emphasizes the potential for severe negative outcomes.

critical incidents

Highlights the severity and importance of the events.

exigent circumstances

Formal term emphasizing the demanding nature of the situations.

pressing issues

Focuses on the need for immediate attention and resolution.

urgent needs

Highlights the necessity for immediate assistance or resources.

disaster scenarios

Implies a catastrophic event with significant impact.

unforeseen crises

Highlights the unexpected nature and critical impact.

serious predicaments

Focuses on the challenging and difficult nature of the situations.

critical moments

Emphasizes the decisive nature and potential consequences of the situations.

FAQs

How can I use "emergencies" in a sentence?

You can use "emergencies" to refer to urgent situations that require immediate attention, such as "The hospital is equipped to handle medical emergencies" or "The government declared a state of emergency after the natural disaster".

What are some alternatives to "emergencies"?

Alternatives include "urgent situations", "crisis situations", or "critical incidents", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "emergencies" and "disasters"?

"Emergencies" are urgent situations requiring immediate action, while "disasters" refer to events causing widespread damage or loss. For example, a fire in a building is an emergency, while a large-scale earthquake is a disaster.

When is it appropriate to use the term "state of emergency"?

The term "state of emergency" is typically used when a government declares that a situation poses a severe and immediate threat to public safety or national security, allowing for extraordinary measures to be taken.