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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
humanitarian
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "humanitarian" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, policies, or individuals that are concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare and social reform. Example: "The organization launched a humanitarian initiative to provide aid to those affected by the natural disaster."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
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.
News & Media
"The blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been pointed out very clearly by the UN's commissioner for human rights," Amos told the Guardian during a visit to Tokyo, where she was attending a conference on improving responses to humanitarian crises in the Asia-Pacific.
News & Media
So, if we are going to be tough on border protection to avoid people drowning at sea, we also need to be compassionate by increasing the humanitarian refugee intake.
News & Media
Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek, said it was "incomprehensible" why Australia was so quick to respond to the crisis in Iraq but so slow to respond to another humanitarian disaster in west Africa.
News & Media
The way he deals with the inevitable rumours about his sexuality ("Who does it hurt if someone thinks I'm gay"?) is wonderfully beguiling, and that's before we've even started on his humanitarian work in Darfur and Haiti, not to mention his friendship with President Obama, recently in the news following Clooney's bust-up with Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn.
News & Media
The businessman, who in previous years has been critical of the Kremlin and who owns part of Novaya Gazeta, one of Russia's only independent newspapers, says that "now is not the time for criticism" and has come out in support of Russia's acts in Crimea, suggesting they could be viewed as a "pre-emptive humanitarian intervention".
News & Media
Armed incursions from Darfur are frequent across the porous border, endangering humanitarian convoys on the 11-hour drive from the nearest gravel road.
News & Media
Schulze says: "All sorts of things had become clearer by the end of 1945, as a result of the Nuremberg trials, that the film-makers hadn't known in the summer – and so the whole humanitarian argument of the film could have been undermined".
News & Media
On humanitarian grounds they should not close the door on people who are desperate," she said.
News & Media
Ben Parker, chief executive, Irin, London, UK, @benparker140 Ben co-founded the independent humanitarian news service, Irin.
News & Media
"There've been two loads of humanitarian aid, one an eight-tonner, the other a six.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "humanitarian" to describe an action or intervention, ensure it directly addresses human suffering or promotes well-being. For example, a "humanitarian" aid program should focus on providing essential resources like food, shelter, or medical care.
Common error
Avoid using "humanitarian" too broadly. The term should be reserved for situations involving significant human suffering or critical needs. Using it for routine acts of kindness dilutes its impact and meaning.
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The term "humanitarian" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe actions, organizations, or principles related to human welfare and the alleviation of suffering. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is considered grammatically correct.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Formal & Business
20%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
3%
Reference
4%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "humanitarian" functions mainly as an adjective indicating concern for human welfare and the alleviation of suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its prevalence in contexts related to aid, disaster relief, and ethical considerations. Predominantly found in News & Media, its register ranges from neutral to formal. For alternative phrasing, ""charitable"", ""philanthropic"", and ""compassionate"" offer nuanced options. Remember to reserve "humanitarian" for situations of genuine human suffering to maintain its impact.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
charitable
Emphasizes the act of giving aid or assistance to those in need, often through donations or organized efforts.
philanthropic
Highlights the broader aspect of promoting human welfare through charitable giving and support for social causes.
compassionate
Focuses on the emotional aspect of showing empathy and concern for the suffering of others.
benevolent
Stresses the quality of being kind, generous, and well-meaning in providing assistance.
altruistic
Underscores the selfless nature of acting for the benefit of others without expecting personal gain.
humanist
Highlights a philosophical stance centered on human values and concerns, often involving efforts to improve human well-being.
eleemosynary
Refers specifically to organizations or activities related to charity and almsgiving.
welfare-oriented
Describes policies or actions designed to promote the welfare and well-being of individuals and communities.
aid-related
Specifically related to the provision of assistance, particularly in crisis situations or to developing countries.
good Samaritan
An individual known for acts of kindness and helping others, particularly strangers, in need.
FAQs
How is the word "humanitarian" used in a sentence?
The word "humanitarian" is used to describe actions, aid, or individuals focused on improving human welfare. For example: "The organization launched a "humanitarian initiative" to provide aid to those affected by the natural disaster."
What are some synonyms for "humanitarian"?
Some synonyms for "humanitarian" include "charitable", "philanthropic", and "compassionate". The best choice depends on the specific context.
What is "humanitarian intervention"?
"Humanitarian intervention" refers to military intervention in another country aimed at preventing or stopping widespread human rights violations or "humanitarian crisis".
When is it appropriate to use the term "humanitarian"?
It's appropriate to use the term "humanitarian" when describing efforts to alleviate suffering, protect human dignity, and promote the well-being of individuals, particularly in crisis situations or when addressing systemic inequalities.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested