human remains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "human remains" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the physical remains of a human body, usually after death. Example: The archaeologists carefully excavated the site, carefully sifting through the soil to uncover any human remains that may have been buried there.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Human remains.

The New York Times

No human remains were found.

The Guardian

"To us, it was human remains".

The New York Times - Arts

The search for human remains was over.

The New York Times

Human remains were found on its roof.

The New York Times

Bloodstains and human remains littered the ground.

The New York Times

He was sneaking snapshots of human remains.

The New York Times

You couldn't see any human remains.

The New York Times

There are still human remains here.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

JULIA DAVIS Writing CV Human Remains, Nighty Night, Hunderby.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How Do You Dismantle a Building Made of Human Remains?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on sensitive topics involving "human remains", always prioritize respectful and objective language to avoid causing distress.

Common error

Avoid sensationalizing discoveries of "human remains". Use factual and neutral language rather than dramatic or speculative descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "human remains" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, denoting the physical remnants of a deceased person, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "human remains" is a noun phrase that denotes the physical remnants of a deceased person. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing about "human remains", it's crucial to maintain a respectful and objective tone, avoiding sensationalism. Alternative phrases include "mortal remains" and "body of the deceased". The term is frequently encountered in investigations, historical studies, and forensic science, serving the communicative purpose of factual identification and description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mortal remains

Emphasizes the deceased's physical form, highlighting mortality.

deceased remains

Focuses on the fact that the remains belong to someone who has died.

body of the deceased

More formal and respectful, suitable for sensitive contexts.

remains of the body

Inverts the structure, slightly altering the focus.

skeletal remains

Specifically refers to the bones left after decomposition.

corporeal remains

Uses a more academic and formal term for "body".

what's left of the person

Informal and empathetic, suitable for personal narratives.

post-mortem body

Focuses on the body after death, often used in medical contexts.

despoiled corpse

Emphasizes the violation or desecration of the body.

bones

The most direct and simple term referring only to skeletal parts.

FAQs

How is the phrase "human remains" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "human remains" usually functions as a noun, often the object of a search, discovery, or investigation, such as in: "The police discovered "human remains" in the woods."

What are some alternative ways to refer to "human remains"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "mortal remains", "body of the deceased", or "skeletal remains" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use the term "human remains" over other similar terms?

Use "human remains" in formal or neutral contexts when you need a general term to refer to the physical remains of a person. More specific terms might be appropriate if you're referring only to bones or to a body that has just died.

What is the significance of finding "human remains" in archaeological or forensic investigations?

The discovery of "human remains" can provide crucial information for historical research, crime scene investigation, and identification of missing persons, often leading to significant conclusions.