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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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humankind

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "humankind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to refer to all human beings collectively, as distinct from other animals, and generally serves as a synonym for "humanity" or "mankind". For example, "My hope is that humankind can learn to live in peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"While I was on board I soon realised that the boot room, where we all changed our clothing and left our shoes, had turned into a scene of social chaos," McEwan said, describing how the eminent scientists, who down the hall were gathering to talk earnestly about the future of the humankind, were also capable of stealing each others' footwear and regarding their colleagues with deep distrust.

My family love to sing, so we'd make a lot of noise, but just before we all ski off the mountain, I'd have Bach's St Matthew Passion blasting down the valley, celebrating the beauty that humankind can turn its hand to when it isn't killing itself.

Everyone has the right to enjoy culture, participate in a creative and enriching leisure at the service of the progress of humankind.

Extolled by leading grovellers as one of the finest honours available to humankind, or half of it, the OM was founded in 1902, it says on the royal website, by the gross libertine, Edward VII, who set the number of beneficiaries, for reasons too royal to bother with, to 24 at any time.

The point is that Europe is working together in a thrilling intellectual exploration that can have no conceivable commercial or political payoff but could, in some still intangible way, enlighten all humankind.

I believe humankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if it were a fiction, happening to someone else's planet, as if pretending that climate change wasn't real would somehow make it go away," he told the UN meeting.

News & Media

The Guardian

All of this misses or trivialises the real, systemic significance of climate change: that humankind is encountering the finitude of our planet, confronting the need to share and protect our endowment from nature, and realising that much will have to change to make this possible.

News & Media

The Guardian

Once temperatures rise enough, agricultural productivity plummets and humankind is in real trouble.

News & Media

The Economist

He thinks chemical companies need to be similarly forthright, and explain to the public that they "actually benefit humankind".

News & Media

The Economist

This change in wingspan suggests that natural selection could indeed be at work and that, when faced with new threats from humankind, these birds might be evolving in response.

News & Media

The Economist

If its gases were suddenly released, the explosion (a "turnover", in geology-speak) could be "the biggest catastrophe humankind has experienced," perhaps suffocating or incinerating the 2m people who live on the shore, says Jarmo Gummerus, a Finnish engineer.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humankind" when you want to emphasize the collective nature of humanity as a whole, especially in discussions about global issues or the future of the species.

Common error

While "mankind" has traditionally been used to refer to the human race, "humankind" is a more inclusive and neutral term. Opt for "humankind" to avoid potential gender bias in your writing.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Humankind functions primarily as a collective noun, denoting the entirety of the human species. It is used to make general statements about humans as a whole. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in discussions about climate change, scientific advancements, and the future of society. Ludwig AI confirms it is a proper noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humankind" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that refers to the entire human species. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, it is advisable to use "humankind" instead of "mankind" to avoid gender bias. Alternative phrases include "the human race" and "humanity". This word serves to make broad generalizations about humanity, as the provided examples display.

FAQs

How do I use "humankind" in a sentence?

"Humankind" functions as a singular noun, referring to the entire human race. For example, "The future of humankind depends on our actions today."

What's the difference between "humankind" and "humanity"?

While "humankind" and "humanity" are often used interchangeably, "humankind" emphasizes the collective species, while "humanity" often refers to the qualities and characteristics of being human, such as compassion and empathy.

Is "humankind" a formal word?

"Humankind" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing, academic discussions, and news reports.

What can I say instead of "humankind"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the human race", "humanity", or "people".

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: