executions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "executions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the carrying out of a sentence of death, or in a more general sense, referring to the implementation of a plan or task. Example: "The executions of the condemned prisoners were scheduled for next week, sparking a debate on capital punishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Iran's judicial authorities have previously denied accusations of juvenile executions, but according to HRW, the country has executed at least 10 juvenile offenders since 2009.

The Guardian

Last November the governor of Oregon, John Kitzhaber, put a moratorium on all executions and in April Connecticut became the fifth state in as many years to abandon capital punishment altogether.

The Guardian

Writing before the announcement that Australia was withdrawing its ambassador, he predicted the executions would affect Australians' perceptions of Widodo for the rest of his tenure, but warned against such a step.

The Guardian

We should withhold bilateral visits by ministers while the foreshadowed executions continue or for the rest of the year," McCarthy wrote for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

The Guardian

"Some prayed, but some who had prayed before they arrived would say: 'There cannot be a God if Auschwitz exists.'" For six weeks, Piechowski was set to work carrying corpses after executions.

The Guardian

A spokesman for Prasetyo, Tony Spontana, told Guardian Australia the executions would be after the Asian-African conference in Jakarta from 19 to 24 April, but could not confirm a timeframe beyond that.

The Guardian

4. The US supreme court in 2002 banned executions for prisoners who are "mentally retarded" – in other words, those with learning difficulties.

The Guardian

All 35 executions were carried out by just seven states, and of those 80% were accounted for by just three states – Texas, Missouri and Florida.

The Guardian

Only Missouri bucked the trend – it lethally injected 10 prisoners compared with just two the previous year, as it forged ahead with an aggressive new drive to carry out executions at a rate of almost one a month.

The Guardian

Arizona added its name to the grisly list of death penalty states carrying out botched executions in July when it took almost two hours and 15 doses of drug to kill Joseph Wood.

The Guardian

Even in Texas, long ground zero of the death penalty in America, the number of executions sharply declined this year, from 16 in 2013 to 10 in 2014.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like "executions", maintain a neutral tone and avoid language that could be perceived as biased or insensitive. Focus on factual reporting and avoid emotional appeals.

Common error

Avoid using "executions" when you mean simple "implementations" or "performances" if the context does not involve a death penalty. Be specific and choose a word that accurately reflects the action being described.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "executions" is as a plural noun, typically referring to multiple instances of carrying out a death sentence or, more broadly, the implementation of a plan. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "executions" is a plural noun primarily used in the context of carrying out death sentences or implementing plans. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, particularly in News & Media. While commonly associated with capital punishment, it can also refer to the implementation of strategies. When discussing sensitive subjects like this, maintain a neutral tone and consider alternatives such as "implementations" or "performances" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital punishments

This alternative focuses specifically on the legal aspect of the death penalty, replacing the broader term with a more legally defined one.

death penalties

This is a straightforward synonym emphasizing the punishment aspect, replacing a more descriptive term with one highlighting consequence.

judicial killings

This phrase emphasizes the role of the judiciary in carrying out the act, shifting focus from the action itself to the institutional process.

state-sanctioned killings

This phrase highlights the government's authorization of the act, emphasizing the legal and political dimensions.

carrying out sentences

This alternative describes the process of enforcing legal decisions but can apply to sentences other than death, thus broadening the scope.

implementations

This term shifts the focus to the act of putting something into effect, moving away from the specific context of death to broader applications.

performances

This alternative is applicable when "executions" refers to carrying out a task or plan, rather than a death sentence.

effectuations

This term is a more formal synonym for implementations, stressing the successful completion of a task.

accomplishments

This describes the result of successful implementation, rather than the act itself.

fulfillments

This term refers to the act of satisfying a requirement or promise, altering the focus from enforcement to completion.

FAQs

How is "executions" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "executions" refers to the implementation of a death sentence. It's a formal term for carrying out a court-ordered punishment.

What are some alternatives to "executions" in non-legal contexts?

Depending on the context, you can use "implementations", "performances", or "fulfillments" as alternatives to "executions".

Is "executions" always related to the death penalty?

While often associated with the death penalty, "executions" can also refer to the act of carrying out any plan or task. However, this usage is less common.

What is the difference between "executions" and "murders"?

"Executions" are state-sanctioned killings carried out as a legal punishment, whereas "murders" are unlawful killings.