human being

USAGE SUMMARY

"human being" is a completely correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you wish to refer to a person, as in this example sentence: "The human being is a beautiful and complex creature, capable of great acts of love and compassion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the human being.

The New York Times - Travel

Be a human being.

The New York Times

An extraordinary human being.

The New York Times

No human being.

The New Yorker

A distinguished human being.

The New York Times

An exceptional human being.

The New York Times

Extraordinary human being.

The New York Times

As a human being.

The Guardian - Opinion

I mean, I'm a human being.

The New York Times

He was just a regular human being.

The New Yorker

I was no longer a human being.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "human being" when you want to emphasize the shared characteristics and experiences of all people, or when contrasting humans with other entities (e.g., animals, machines).

Common error

Avoid using "human being" in everyday conversation where simpler terms like "person" or "human" would sound more natural. Overusing it can make your language sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "human being" functions primarily as a noun, serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a member of the Homo sapiens species. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it can be used to describe qualities or states of a person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "human being" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a person. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone and is frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. While synonyms like "person" and "individual" exist, "human being" often emphasizes shared humanity or is used to contrast humans with other entities. Remember to consider the context and intended emphasis when choosing between "human being" and its alternatives. Although widely accepted, overusing "human being" in informal contexts can sound stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

person

This is the most direct and common synonym.

human

This is a simpler and more direct synonym.

individual

This is a more formal and neutral term for a person.

member of humanity

This highlights belonging to the human race.

thinking being

This highlights the cognitive abilities of a person.

rational being

This emphasizes the capacity for reason and intellect.

living soul

This emphasizes the spiritual or emotional aspect of a person.

mortal

This emphasizes the finite and earthly nature of a person.

earthling

This term is less formal and often used when contrasting humans with extraterrestrial beings.

being

This is a more general term that encompasses all living entities, but can sometimes be used to refer to a person.

FAQs

How can I use "human being" in a sentence?

You can use "human being" to refer to a person, especially when emphasizing their shared humanity or contrasting them with non-human entities. For instance, "Every "human being" deserves respect."

What are some synonyms for "human being"?

Some synonyms for "human being" include "person", "individual", and "mortal", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is there a difference between "human" and "human being"?

While often interchangeable, "human being" can sometimes emphasize the inherent qualities and shared experiences of all humans, while "human" can be a more general descriptor.

When is it appropriate to use "human being" instead of "person"?

"Human being" is appropriate when you want to highlight the shared humanity or contrast humans with other entities. "Person" is a more general and commonly used term. For example, using "human being" stresses our shared identity, like in: "Treat every "human being" with dignity".