human beings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "human beings" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to people or individuals collectively. For example: "Human beings have been struggling to find solutions to global warming for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can human beings be preserved?

The New York Times - Books

"Be human beings.

The New York Times

Human beings can't be perfected.

The New York Times

Human beings are frail.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They're hardworking human beings.

The New Yorker

in human beings.

The New Yorker

It affects human beings.

Independent

Pastors are human beings.

The New York Times

Human beings are inquisitive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human beings are unpredictable.

The New Yorker

Human beings do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "human beings" when you want to emphasize the shared qualities and experiences of all people, rather than focusing on specific demographics or roles.

Common error

Avoid using "human beings" in very casual conversations where simpler terms like "people" or "folks" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "human beings" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to refer to people collectively. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "human beings" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for referring to people collectively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across various contexts. While highly versatile, it's best reserved for neutral to formal settings, where its emphasis on shared humanity is most appropriate. Alternatives like "people" or "individuals" may be better suited for casual communication. Remember to use the singular form "human being" when referring to one person and the plural "human beings" when talking about more than one person. It appears that top authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Independent, BBC and Unicef are using this term quite often.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people

A more general and frequently used term for individuals.

individuals

A more formal and precise term for single persons.

persons

A highly formal and legalistic term for people.

the human race

Focuses on the shared biological and evolutionary heritage of humanity.

members of society

Emphasizes the role of individuals within a community.

humankind

A gender-neutral alternative to 'mankind'.

mankind

Refers to all humans collectively, often used in a philosophical or historical context. Note: can be considered gender-exclusive.

mortals

Emphasizes the finite lifespan of humans, often used in literature.

inhabitants of Earth

Highlights the shared planetary home of all people.

the populace

Refers to the general population of a specific area or group.

FAQs

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

You can use "human beings" to refer to people in general. For example, "Human beings are social creatures" or "Human beings make terrible drivers".

What's a good alternative to "human beings"?

Depending on the context, you could use "people", "individuals", or "persons" as alternatives to "human beings".

Is it correct to use "human being" instead of "human beings"?

Yes, "human being" is the singular form. Use "human being" when referring to a single person, and "human beings" when referring to multiple people.

What is the difference in connotation between "human beings" and "people"?

"Human beings" often emphasizes the shared nature and fundamental qualities of all humans, while "people" is a more general and common term for a group of individuals.